Mayer - Captain Canot: Or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver

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HANDBOLNDAT THE

UNIVERSITY OF

TORONTO PRESS

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CAPTAIN CANOT;

OR,

TWENT! YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER

BEING AN ACCOUNT OF

HIS CAREER AND ADVENTURES ON THE COASTIN THE INTERIOR, ON SHIPBOARD, AND IN

THE WEST INDIES.

WKl'lTKN OUT AKD EDITED FBOM THE

Captain's Journals, illemaranlia anb donntrsations.

BEANTZ MAYER. ^ -

THIRTEENTH THOUSAND. ^^ IL.

NEW YORK:D. APPLETON AND COMPANY,

443 & 445 BRO.\DWAY.LONDON: 16 LITTLE BRITAIN.

1864.

Eniebed, according to Act of Congress, in tbe year 1854, by

BRAifTZ MATEB,in the Qerk's Office of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

iTT

TD

N. P. WILLIS,

OF IDLEWILD.

My Dear Wiixis,

While inscribing this work with your name, as a testimonial

of our long, unbroken friendship, you will let me say, 1 am sure,

not only how, but why I have written it.

About a year ago I was introduced to its hero, by Dr. James

Hall, the distinguished founder and first governor of our colony

at Cape Palmas. While busy with his noble task in Africa,

Dr. Hall accidentally became acquainted with Captain Canot,

during his residence at Cape Mount, and was greatly impressed

in his favor by the accounts of all who knew him. Indeed,—setting aside his career as a slaver,

—Dr. Hall's observation

convinced him that Canot was a man of unquestionable integrity.

The zeal, moreover, with which he embraced the first oppor-

tunity, after his downfall, to mend his fortunes by honorable

industry in South America, entitled him to respectful confidence.

As their acquaintance ripened, my friend gradually drew from

the wanderer the story of his adventurous life, and so striking

were its incidents, so true its delineations of African character,

that he advised the captain to prepare a copious memorandum,

which I should write out for the public.

Let me tell you why I undertook this task;but first, let me

assure you that, entertaining as the story might have been for a

large class of readers, I would not have composed a line for the

mere gratification of scandalous curiosity. My conversations

with Canot satisfied me that his disclosures ,vere more tho-

roughly candid than those of any one who has hitherto related

his connection with the traffic. I thought that the evidence of

one who, for twenty years, played the chief part in such a drama,

was of value to society, which is making up its mind, not only

about a great political and domestic problem, but as to the na-

ture of the race itself. I thought that a true picture of aborigi-

nal x\frica,—unstirred by progress,

—unmodified by reflected

civilization,—full of the barbarism that blood and tradition have

handed down from the beginning, and embalmed in its prejudices,

like the corpses of Egypt,—could not fail to be of incalculable

importance to philanthropists who regard no people as beyond

the reach of enlightenment.

The completed task rises before me like a moving panorama

whose scenery and background are the ocean and tropics, and

whose principal actor combines the astuteness of Fouche with

the dexterity of Gil Bias. I have endeavored to set forth

his story as plainly as possible, letting events instead of de-

scriptions develope a chequered life which waa incessantly con-

nected with desperate men of both colors. As he unmasked his

whole career, and gave me leave to use the incidents, I have not

dared to hide what the actor himself displayed no wish to con-

ceal. Besides the sketches of character which familiarize us

with the aboriginal negro in Africa, there is a good moral in the

resultless life, which, after all its toils, hazards, and successes

leaves the adventurer a stranded wreck in the prime of man-

4

hood. One half the natural capacity, employed industriously in

lawful commerce, would have made the captain comfortable and

independent. Nor is there much to attract in the singular ab-

negation of civilized happiness in a slaver's career. AVc may not

be surprised, that such an animal as Da Souza, who is portrayed

in these pages, should revel in the sensualities of Dahomey ;but

we must wonder at the passive endurance that could chain a su-

perior order of man, like Don Pedro Blanco, for fifteen un-

broken years, to his pestilential hermitage, till the avaricious

anchorite went forth from the marshes of Gallinas, laden with

gold. I do not think this story is likely to seduce or educate a

race of slavers !

The frankness of Canot's disclosures may surprise the more

reserved and timid classes of society ;but I am of opinion that

there is au ethnographic value in the account of his visit to the

Mandingoes and Fullahs, and especially in his narrative of the

wars, jugglery, cruelty, superstition, and crime, by which one

sixth of Africa subjects the remaining five sixths to servitude.

As the reader peruses these characteristic anecdotes, he will

ask himself how,—in the progress of mankind,—such a people

is to be approached and dealt with ? Will the Mahometanism

of the North which is winning its way southward, and infusing it-

self among the crowds of central Africa, so as, in some degree, to

modify their barbarism, prepare the primitive tribes to receive

a civilization and faith which are as true as they are divine ?

Will our colonial fringe spread its fibres from the coast to the

interior, and, like veins of refreshing blood, pour new currents

into the mummy's heart ? Is there hope for a nation which, in

three thousand years, has hardly turned in its sleep ? The iden-

tical types of race, servitude, occupation, and character that are

now extant in Africa, may be found on the Egyptian monuments

built forty centuries ago ;while a Latin poem, attributed to Vir-

VI

gil,describes a menial negress who might unquestionahly pass

for a slave of our Southern plantations :

" Interdum clamat Cybalen ;erat unica custos ;

Afra genus, tola patriam testante figura ;

Torta comam, labroque tumcDS, et fusca colorem ;

Pectore lata, jacens mammis, compvessior alvo,

Cruribus exilis, spatiosa prodiga planta ;

Continuis rimis calcanea scissa rigebant."'

It will be seen from these hints that our memoir has nothing

to do with slavery as^ North American institution, except so far

as it is an inheritance from the system it describes; yet, in pro-

portion as the details exhibit an innate or acquired inferiority of

the negro race in its oion land, they must appeal to every gen-

erous heart in behalf of the benighted continent.

It has lately become common to assert that Providence per-

mits an exodus through slavery^ in order that the liberated

negro may in time return, and, with foreign acquirements, be-

come the pioneer of African civilization. It is attempted to

reconcile us to this "good from evil," by stopping inquiry with

the "inscrutability of God's ways !

" But we should not suffer

ourselves to be deceived by such imaginary irreverence; for, in

God's ways, there ic* nothing less inscrutable than his law of right.

That law is never qualified in this world. It moves with the

irresistible certainty of organized nature, and, while it makes

man free, in order that his responsibility may be unquestionable,

it leaves mercy, even, for the judgment hereafter. Such a sys-

tem of divine law can never palliate the African slave trade,

and, in fact, it is the basis of that human legislation which con-

verts the slaver into a pirate, and awards him a felon's doom.

For these reasons, we should discountenance schemes like

those proposed not long ago in England, and sanctioned by the

*MoRETUM,—Carm. Virg. Wagner's ed. vol. 4, p. 301.

Vll

British government, for the encouragement of spontaneous emi

gration from Africa under the charge of contractors. The plan

was viewed with fear by the colonial authorities, and President

Roberts at once issued a proclamation to guard the natives.

No one, I think, will read this book without a conviction that

the idea of voluntary expatriation has not dawned on the Afri-

can mind, and, consequently, what might begin in laudable

philanthropy would be likely to end in practical servitude.

Intercourse, trade, and colonization, in slow but steadfast

growth, are the providences intrusted to us for the noble task

of civilization. They who arc practically acquainted with the

colored race of our country, have long believed that gradual colo-

nization was the only remedy for Africa as well as America.

The •repugnance of the free blacks to emigration from our

shores has produced a tardy movement, and thus the African

population has been thrown back grain by grain, and not wave

by wave. Every one conversant with the state of our colonies,

knows how beneficial this languid accretion has been. It moved

many of the most enterprising, thrifty, and independent. It

established a social nucleus from the best classes of Americau

colored people. Like human growth, it allowed the frame

to mature in muscular solidity. It gave immigrants time to

test the climate;to learn the habit of government in states as

well as in families;to acquire the bearing of freemen

;to abau

don their imitation of the whites among whom they had lived .

and thus, by degrees, to consolidate a social and political system

which may expand into independent and lasting nationality.

Instead, therefore, of lamenting the slowness with which the col-

onies have reached their vigorous promise, we should consider

it a blessing that the vicious did not rush forth in turbulent

crowds with the worthy, and impede the movements of better

folks, who were still unused to the task of self-reliance.

VUl

Men are often too mucli in a hurry to do good, and mar by

excessive zeal what patience would complete." Deus quies quia

seternus," saith St. Augustine. The cj'press is a thousand years

in growth, yet its limbs touch not the clouds, save on a moun-

tain top. Shall the regeneration of a continent be quicker than

its ripening ? That would be miracle—not progress.

Accept this offering, my dear Willis, as a token of that sin-

cere regard, which, during an intimacy of a quarter of a cen-

tury, has never wavered in its friendly trust.

Faithfully, yours,

Brantz Mayeiu

Baltiuobe, lat July, 1854

CONTENTS.PAoa

CHAI*. 1.—lly parentage and education—Apprenticed at Leghorn to an American

captain—First voyage—its misliaps—overboard—blaclc coolc—Sun)atra—cabin boy—Arrival in Boston—My first command—View of Boston harbor from the mast-

head—My first interview with a Boston merchant, William Gkay ... 1

CHAP. IL—My uncle tells my adventure with Lokd Btkon—Captain Towne, and

my life in Salem—My skill in Latin—Five years voyaging from Salem—I rescue

a Malay girl at Quallahbattoo—Thefirst slave I over saw—End of my apprentice-

ship—My backslidings in Antwerp and Paris—Ship on a British vessel for Brazil

—The captain and his wife—Love, grog, and grumbling—A scene in the harbor of

Kio—Matrimonial happiness—Voyage to Europe—Wreck and loss on the coast

near Ostend 10

CHAP. IIL—I design going to South America—A Dutch galliot for Havana-Maleand female captain—Run foul of in the Bay of Biscay-Put into Ferrol, in Spain—I am appropriated by a new mother, grandmother, and sisters—A comic scene—How I got out of the scrape—Set sail for Havana—Jealousy of the captain—De-

prived of my post—Restored—Refuse to do duty-Its sad consequences—"Wreckedon a reef near Cuba—Fisherman-wreckers—Offer to land cargo

—Make a bargainwith our salvors—A sad denouement—A night bath and escape .... 19

CHAP. IV.—Bury my body in the sand to escape the insects—Night of horror—Re-

fuge on a tree—Scented by bloodhounds—March to the rancho—My guard—Argu-ment about my fate—"Mr Uncle" Rafael suddenly appears on the scene—Magic change effected by my relationship

—Clothed, and fed, and comforted—Ifind an uncle, and am protected—MiscLET-Made cook"s mate—Gallego, the cook—His appearance and character—Don Rafael's story

—" Circumstances"—His

counsel for my conduct on the island 31

CHAP, v.—Life on a sand key—Pirates and wreckers—Their difference—Our galliot

destroyed-the gang goes to Cuba—I am left with Gallego—Ilis daily fishing and

nightly flitting—I watch him—My discoveries In the grave-yard—Return of the

wreckers—"Amphibious"Jews "—Visit from a Cuban inspector—"Fishing li-

cense "—Gang goes to Cape Verde—Report of a fresh wreck—Chance of escape—Arrival—Return of wreckers-Bachicha and his clipper—Death of Mesclot—Myadventures in a privateer—My restoration to the key—Qallego's charges—His trial

and fate .•

41.#

. . . . «

X. CONTENTS.

CHAP. VL—I am sent from the key—Consigned to a grocer at Kegla—Cibo—His

bousehold—Fish-loving padre—Our dinners and studies—EafaeVs fate—Havana

—A slaver—I sail for Africa—The Areostatico's voyage, crew, gale—Mutiny-

How I meet it alone—My first night in Africa! 5'

CHAP. YII.—Eeflections on my conduct 6nd character—Morning after the mutiny-

Burial of the dead—My wounds—Jack Oemosd, or the "Mongo Jonx"—My

physician and his prescription—Value of woman's milk—I make the vessel ready

for her slave cargo—1 dine with Mongo John—His harem—Frolic in it—Duplicity

of my captain—I take service with Ormond as his clerk—I pack the human

cargo of the Areostatico—Farewell to my English cabin boy—His story . . 66

CHAP. YIIL—I take possession of my new quarters—My household and its fittings

—History of Mr. Ormond—How he got his rights in Africa—I take a survey of his

property and of my duties—The Cerberus of his harem—Unga-golah's stealing—

Her rage at my opposition—A night visit at my quarters—EsrnEK, the quarteroon

—A warning and a sentimental stene—Account of an African factor's harem-Mongo

John in his decline—His women—Their flirtations—Battles among the girls—How

African beans fight a duel for love .'—Scene of passionate jealousy among t!ie

women '

CHAP. IX—Pains and dreariness of the " wet season "-African rain !—A Cakavaj*

announced as coming to the Coast—Forest paths and traUs yi Africa—How we

arrange to c.itch a caravan—"Barkers," who they are—Ahmah-de-Bellah, son of

the Ao-mami of Footha-Tai-LON—A Fullah chief leads the caravan of 700 persons

—Arrival of the caravan—Its character and reception—Its produce taken charge

of—People billeted—Mode of trading for the produce of a caravan-(A'bte; Ac-

count of the produce, its value and results)—Mode of purchasing the prod\ice—

Sale over—Gift of an ostrich—Its value in ganSr-Bungee or " t/asA"—Ahmah-dc-

Bellah—How he got up his caravan—Blocks the forest paths—Convoy duties-

Value and use of blocking the forest paths—Collecting debts, &c.—My talks with

Ahmah—his instructions and sermons on Islamism—My geographical disquisitions,

rotundity of the world, the Koran—I consent to turn, minm the baptism !—Ah-

mah's attempt to vow me to Islamism—Fullah punishments—Slave wars—Piety

and profit—Ahmah and I exchange gifts—A double-barrelled gun for a Koran—I

promise to visit the Fullah country^

CHAP. X—Mode of purchasing Slaves at factories—Tricks of jockeys—Gunpowder

and lemon-juice—I become absolute manager of the stores-EeconcUiation -vrtth

Unga-Golah—La belle Esther—I get the African fever—My nurses-Cured by

sweating and bitters—Ague—Showerbath remedy—Me. Edwaed Joseph—Mymiion with him—I quit the Mongo, and take up my quarters with the Lon-

doner . . J

CHAP. XI.—An epoch in my life in 1S27—A vessel arrives consigned to me for slaves

—La Foetcxa-How I managed to sell my cigars and get a cargo, though I had

no factory—My first shipment—(Note on the cost and profit of a slave voyage)—

How slaves are selected for various markets, and shipped—Go on board naked-

hearty feed before embarkation—Stowage—Messes—Mode of eating—Grace-

Men and women separated-A ttention to health, cleanliess, ventilation—Singing

and amusements—Daily purification of the vessel—Night, order and silence pre-

served by negro constables—Use anddistiseof handcuffs—Brazilian slavers—(Note

on condition of slavers since the treaty with Spain) 9-

CU AP. XII.—How a cargo of slaves is landed in Cuba—Detection avoided—" Orati-

Jicaciones:' Clothes distributed-Vessel burnt or sent in as a coaster, or in distress

CONTENTS. Zl

FAOI—A slave's first gUmi»s« of a Cuban plantation—Delight with food and dress—Oddity of beasts of burden and vehicles—A slave's first interview with a negro

postilion—the poetilion's sertnon in favor of slavery

—Dealings with the ancho-

rite*—Uow tobacco smoke blinds public functionarcs—My popularity on the Eio

Pongo—Onnond's enmity to me 107

CIIAP. XHI.— I become intimate with "Country princes" and receive their presents—Royal marriages—Insulting to refuse a prolTered wife—I am pressed to wed a

princess and my diplomacy to escape the sable noose—My partner agrees to marrythe princess—The ceremonial of wooing and wedding in African high life—Coomba 110

CIIAP. XIV.—Joseph, my partner, has to fly from Africa—How I save our property—My visit to the Bagess—their primitive mode of life—Habits—Honesty—I find

my property unguarded and safe—My welcome in the village—Gift of a goat—Sup-

per—Sleep—A narrow escape in the surf on the coast—the skill of Kkoomen . 119

CHAP. XT.—I study the institution of Slavebt dj Africa-Man becomes a "legal

tender," or Uie coin of Africa—Slave wars, how they are directly promoted by the

peculiar adaptation of the trade of the great commercial nations—Slaverj- an im-

memorial institution in Africa—How and why it will always be retained—Who are

made Ao»m slaves—Jockeys and brokers—Five sixths of Africa in domestic

bondage 127

CHAP. XVL—Caravan announced—Mami de Toxo, from Footha Tallon, uncle of

Ahmah de Bellah—My ceremonious reception—My preparations for the chief—

Coflfee—his school and teaching—Naebative of his trip to Timbpctoo—Queer

black-board map—prolix story teller—Timbuctoo and its trade— Slavery . . 129

CHAP. XVII.—I set forth on my journey to Timbo, to see the father of Ahmah de

BcUab—My caravan and its mode of travel—My Mussulman passport—Forest

roads—Arrive at Kya among the Makdi>goes—My lodgings—Ibrauim Ali—Our

supper and " bitters"—A scene of piety, love and liquor—Nest morning's headache

—Ali Ni.vpha begs leave to halt for a day—I manage our Fullah guide—My fever

—Homoeopathic dose of Islamism from the Koran—My cure—Afternoon . . 136

CHAP. XVIII.—A ride on horseback—Its exhilaration in the forest—Visit to the Ds- •

til's FocsTAix—Tricks of an echo and sulphur water—Ibrahim and I discourse

learnedly upon the ethics of fluids—My respect for national peculiarities—Our

host's liberality—Mandingo etiquette at the departure of a guest

—A valuable gift

ft'om Ibrahim and its delicate bestowal—My offering in return—Tobacco and

brandy . 148

CHAP. XIX.—A night bivouac in the forest—Hammock swung between trees—Asurprise and capture

—'What we do with the fugitive slaves—A Mandingo upstart

and his "town"—Inhospitality—He insults my Fullah leader—A quarrel

—TheMandingo is seized and his townsfolk driven out—We tarry for All Ninpha—Hereturns and trieshis countrymen—Punishment— Mode of inculcating the social

virtues among these Interior tribes—We cross the Sanghu on an impromptu bridge

—Game—Forest food—Vegetables—A "Witch's cauldron" of reptiles for tho

negroes 147

CIIAP. XX.—Spread of Mahnmetanism in the interior of Africa—The external as-

pect of nature in Africa—Prolific land—Indolence a lav,- of the physical constitu-

tion—My caravan's progress—The An Mami's puotkction, its value—Forest

scenery—Woods, open plains, barrancas and rapines—Their intense heat—Prairies

—Swordgrass—Kiver scenery, magnificence of the shores, foliage, flowers, fhiits

and birds; picturesque town.s villages and herds—Mountain scenery, view, at

morning, over the lowlands—An African noon , . . ... 152

XH CONTENTS.

PAOlCHAP. XXI.—We approach Tamisso—Our halt at a brook—bathing, beautifying,

anil adornment of the \vomen—Message and welcome from Mouamedoo, by his

son, with a gift of fo3d—Our musical escort and procession to the city—My horse

is led by a buffoon of the court, who takes c«re of my face—Curiosity of the towns-

folk to see the white Mongo—I pass on hastily to the Palace of Mohamedoo—"What an African palace and its furniture is—Mohamedoo's appearance, greeting

and dissatisfaction— I make my present and clear up the clouds—I determine to

bathe—IIow the girls watch me—Their commentaries on my skin and complexion—Negro curiosity—A bath scene—Appearance of Tamisso, and my entertainment

there . 157

CIIAP. XXII.—Improved character of country and population aj we advance to the

interior—We approach Jallica—Notice to Sctpuiaka—A halt for refreshment

and ablutions—All Ninpha's early home here—A great man in Soolimana—Soundof the war drum at a distance—Our welcome— Entrance to the town—My party,

with the Fullah, is barred out—We are rescued—Grand ceremonial procession and

reception, lasting two hours—I am, at last, presented to Suphiana—My entertain-

ment in Jallica—A concert— Musical instruments—Madoo, the ayah—I reward

her dancing and singing 162

CHAP. XXIIl.—Our caravan proceeds towards Timbo—Met and welcomed in ad-

vance, on a lofty table land, by Ahmah de Eellah—Psalm of joy sung by the Ful-

lahs for our safety—We reach Timbo before day—A house has been specially built

and furnished for me—Minute care for my taste and comforts—Ahmah de Bellah

a trump— k. fancy dressing-gown and ruffled shirt—I bathe, dress, and am pre-

sented to the Alt Mami—His inquisitive but cordial reception and recommenda-

tion—Portrait of a Fullah king—A breakfast with his wife—My formal reception bythe Chiefs of Timbo and Sulimani Ali—The ceremonial—Ahmah's speech as to

my purposes—Promise of hospitality

—My gifts—I design purchasing slaves—

scrutiny of the presents—Oantharides—Abdulmomen Ali, a prince and book-

man—Ilis edifying discourse on Islamism—My submission 167

CHAP. XXIV.—Site of Timbo and the surrounding country—A ride with the princes

—A modest custom of the Fullahs in passing streams—Visit to villages—The in-

habitants fly, fearing we are on a slave scout—Appearance of the cultivated lands,

gardens, near Findo and Furo—Every body shuns me—A walk through Timbo—A secret expedition

—I watch the girls and matrons as they go to the stream to

draw water—Their figures, limbs, dress—A splendid headdress—The people of

Timbo, their character, occupation, industry, reading—I announce my approach-

ing departure—Slave forays to supply me—A capture of forty-five by Sulimani

Ali—The personal dread of me increases—Abdulmomen and Ahmah de Bellah

continue their slave hunts by day, and their pious discourses on Islamism by night—I depart

—The farewell gifts—two pretty damsels 176

CHAP. XXV.—My home journey—We reach home with a caravan near a thousand

strong—Kanibia in order—Mami de Yong and my clerk—The story and fate of

the Ali Mami"s daughter Beeljie 188

CHAP. XXVI.—Arrival of a French slaver. La Pekoitsb, Captain Brulot—Ormond

and I breakfast on board—Its sequel—We are made prisoners and put in irons-

Short mode of collecting an old debt on the coast of AfVica—The Frenchman gets

possession of our slaves—Arrival of a Spanish slaver 190

CHAP. XXVII.—Ormond communicates with the Spaniard, and arranges for our res-

sue—La Espeeanza—Brulot gives in—How we fine him two hundred and fifty

doubloons for the expense of his suit, and teach him the danger of playing tricks

upon African factors .... 19fl

CONTENTS. Xin

CnAr. XXVIIL—Capt. Escudero of tlio Esperanza dies—I resolve to take his place

in coniinaiul anil visit Cuba—Arrival of a Danish slaver— Quarrel and battle be-

tween tbe crews of my Spaniard and tbo Dane—The Dane attempts to punish me

through the duplicity of Orniond— I bribe a servant and discover the trick—Myconversation with Ormond—We agree to circumvent the CDeiiiy

—IIow 1 get a

cargo without casli 200

CHAP. XXIX.—Off to sea—A calm—A British man-of-war—Boat attack—Keinforce-

inent—A battle—A catastrophe—A prisoner 2()6

CHAP. XXX.—I am sent on board the corvette—My reception—A dangerous pre-

dicament—The Captain and surgeon make me comfortable for the night—Extraor-

dinary conveniences for escape, of which I take tbe liberty to avail myself . . 215

CILVP. XXXI.—I drift away in a boat with my servant—Our adventures till we land

In the Isles r>E Loss—My illness and recovery—I return to the Kio Pongo— I amreceived on board a French slaver—Invitation to dinner—Monkey soup and its

consequences ; . . 218

CHAP. XXXII.—My greeting in Kambia-The Feliz from Matanzas—Negotiationsfor her cargo—Ormond attempts to poison me—Ormond's suicide—His burial ac-

cording to African customs 223

CHAP. XXXIII.—A visit to the Matacan river in quest of slaves—My reception by

the king—His appearance-Scramble for my gifts—How slaves are sometimes trap-

ped on a hasty hunt—I visit the Matacan Wizard;his cave, leopard, blind boy

—Deceptions and jugglery—Feiliches—A scale of African intellect . . .227

I IIAP. XXXIV.—What became of the Espernnza's oflBcers and crew—The destruc-

tion of my factory at Kambia by fire—1 lose all but my slaves—the incendiary de-

tected—Who instigated the deed—Ormond's relatives—Deatu of EsTiir.i:—I go

to sea in a schooner from Sierra Leone—IIow I acquire a cargo of slaves in the Kio

Nunez without money 233

CMAP. XXXV.—I escape capture—Symptoms of mutiny and detection of the plot-

How we put it down 2-lC

rilAP. XXXVI.—A "white squall"—I land my cargo near St Jago de Cuba—Tripto Havana on horseback—My consignees and their prompt arrangements—success

of my voyage—Interference of the French Consul—I am nearly arrested-How

things were managed, of old, in Cuba 244

<'!TAP. XXXVIL—A long holiday—I am wrecked on a key—My rescue by salvors

—New Providence—I ship on the Sak Pablo, from St. Thomas's, assailing mas-

ter—Her captain and his arrangements—Encounter a transport— Benefit of the

smallpox—Mozambique Channel—Take cargo near Quillimane—How we man-

aged to get slaves—Illness of our captain—The smallpox breaks out on our brig

—ItsfatalUy 243

CHAP. XXXVIII.—Our captain longs for calomel, and how I get it from a Scotch-

man—Our captain's last will and tc-tamcnt—Wo are chased by a British cniiscr—How we out-manoeuvred and crippled her—Death of our captain

—Cargo landed

and the San Pablo burnt 2»

CHAP. XXXIX.—My returns from the voyage 1 12,000, and how I apply them—Acustom-liou.«e encounter -wliich loses me La Co.nciuta and my money -I get com-

mand of a slaver for Ayi:i>aii—La Esstkella— I consign her to the notorious DaSorzA or Cua-cua—His history and mo<le of life in Africa—His gambling houses

and women—I keep aloof from his temptations, and contrive to get my cargo in

two months 260

XIV CONTENTS.

PAGBCHAP. XL.—All Africans believe in divinities or powers of various degree, except

the Bagers—Iguanas worshipped in Whydah—Invitation to witness the humanSACRIFICES at the court of Dahomet—llow they travel to ABOiCET—The King, his

court, amazons, style of life, and brutal festivities—Superstitious rights atÂGOS—The JuJTJ hunts by night for the virgin to be sacrificed—Greegree bush—The sa-

crifice—African priest and kingcraft 265

CH-IP. XLI.—My voyage home in the Kstrella—A eevolt of the slaves duringa squall, and how we were obliged to suppress ii—Use of pistols and hot water . 272

CHAP. XLII.—^Smallpox and a necessary mwrder—Bad luck every where—A chase

and a narrow escape 276

CHAP. XLIIL—The Agutla de Org, a Chesapeake clipper—my race with the Mon-

tesquieu—I enter the river Salnm to trade for slaves—lam threatened, then ar-

rested, and my clipper seized by French man-of-war's men—Inexplicable mystery—AVe are imjjrisoned at Goeee—Transferred to San Louis oa the Senegal—TheFrenchmen appropriate my schooner without coiidemnation—How they used her

The sisters of charity m our prison—The trial scene in court, and our sentence—

Friends attempt to fecilitate my escape, but onr plans detected—I am transferred

to a gnardship in the stream—New projects for my escape—A jolly party and the

nick of time, but the captain spoils the sport 28C

CHAP. XLIV.—I am sent to France in the frigate Floea—Sisters of charity—The

prison of Brest—My prison companions—Prison mysteries—Coepoeal Blo:<—I

apply to the Spanish minister—Transfer to the civU prison 2S6

CHAP. XLV.—Madame Soeket and my new quarters—Mode of life—A lot of Cata-

lan girls—Prison boarding and lodging—Misery of the convicts In the coast prisons

—Improvement of the central prisons 292

CHAP. XLVI.—Nei^ lodgers in our quarters—How we pass our time in pleasant

diversions by aid of the Catalan girls and my cash—Soirees—My funds give out—Madame Sorret makes a soggestion

—I turn schoolmaster, get pupUs, leach Eng-lish and penmanship, and support my whole party , . 295

CHAP. XLTII.—MoxsiEUE GEE.MArsE, the forger—His trick—Cause of Germaine's

arrest—An adroit and rapid forgery—Its detection 300

CHAP. XLVni.-«-Plan of escape— Germaine's project against Babette—A newscheme for New Years night—Passports—PrEXKO Nazzolixi and Domexico

' Aniokette—Preparations for our " French leave"—How the attempt eventuated 804

CHAP. XLIX.—Condition of the sentinel when he was found—His story—Prison

researches next day—How we avoid detection—Louis Philippe receives my peti-

tion favorably-^Germaine's philosophic pilfering and principles—His plan to rob

the Sastissima Casa of Loeeto—He designs making an attempt on the Em-

peror Nicholas— I am released and banished from France 810

CHAP. L.—I go to Portugal, and retam in disguise to Marseilles, in order to embark

for Africa—I resolve to continue a slaver—A Marseilles hotel during the cholera—Doctor Du Jean and Madame V)vrev.T.z—Humors of the table dJwte—Coquetry

and flirtation—A phrenological denouement 316

CHAP. LI.—I reach Goree, and hasten to Sierra Leone, where I become a coast

pilot to Gallinas—Site of that celebrated factory—Don Pedeo Blakcg—His

monopoly of the Vey country—Slave trade and its territorial extent prior to the

AiTEEiCAS Scheme of Coloxizatiox—Blanco's arrangements, telegraphs, &c. at

GAUinas—Appearance and mode of life—Blanco and the Lord's prayer in Latin , 884

CONTENTS. XV

I PAOlCHAP. LII.—Anecdotes of Blanco—Growth of slave trade In the Vet country—Lo-

cal wars—Ajiak \.r and SiiiAKAR—Barbarities of tbe natives 380

CHAP. LIII.—I visit Liberia, and observe a new phase of negro development—I goto New Sestros, and establish trade —Trouble with Prince Frbeuan—The value

of gunpowder physic ; . . 385

CHAP. LIV.—My establishment at New Sestros, and how I created the slave trade

in that region—The ordeal of Saccy 'Wood—My mode of attacking a supersti-

tious xmage, and of saving the victims—The story of Barrau and his execution . 33*'

CHAP. LV.—No river at New Sestros—Beach—Kroomen and Fishmen-Bushmen—

Kroo boats—I engage a fleet of thera for my factory—I ship a cargo of slaves in a

hurry-My mode of operating—Value of rum and mock coral beads—Keturn of

the cruiser 8^-*

CHAP. LYl.—I go on a pleasure voyage in the Brilliant, accompanied by Goverxob

FiXDLAT—Murder of the Governor—I fit out an expedition to revenge bis death

—A fight with the beach negroes—We burn five towns—A disastrous retreat—I

am wounded-Vindication of Findlay's memory 39-;

CHAP. LVIL—What Don Pedro Blanco thought of my Quixotism—Painful e'ffects

ofmy wound—Blanco's liberality to Findlay's family—My slave nurseries on the

coast—Digby—I pack nineteen negroes on my launch, and set sail for home—Dis-

astrous voyage—Stories—I land my cargo at night at Monrovia, and carry it

through the colony !—Some new views of commercial Morality ! . . , . 856

CHAP. LVIII.—My compliments to British cruisers—The Bostto—I ofler an inspec-

tion of my b.irracoons, <tc., to her officers—A lieutenant and the surgeon are sent

ashore—My reception of tliem, and the review of my slaves, feeding, sleeping, &c.

—Our night frolic—Nest morning—A surprise—The Benito off, and her officers

ashore !—Almost a quarrel—How I pacified my guests over a good breaklkst—

Sauce for the goose is cauce for the gander 863

CHAP. LIX.—Ups and downs—I am captured in a Bussian vessel, and sent to Sierra

Leone—It is resolved that I am to be despatched to England—I determine to take

French leave—Preparation to celebrate a birthday—A feast—A martinet—Cor-

poral BursT—Pleasant effects of cider—A swim for life and liberty at night—My concealment—I manage to equip myself, and depart in a Portuguese vessel—I ship thirty-one slaves at Digby—A narrow escape from a cruiser—My return to

New Sestros—Eeport ofmy death—How I restored confidence In my actual exist-

ence—Don Pedro's notion of me—The gift of a donkey, and its disastrous effect

on the married ladies of New Sestros . . . . , 8C9

CHAP. LX—Tbe confeîon of a dying sailor—Saxchez—The story of the murder of

Don Miguel, and destruction of his fectory by TnosiPSON—A piratical revenge—

An auto-da-fi at sea 877

CHAP. LXL—My establishment at Digby—The rival kinsmen, and their quarrel—

Jex-kx>% the Bcboman—My arrival at Digby, carousal—A night attack by the

rival and his allies—A rout—Horrid scenes of massacre, barbarity, and cannibal-

ism—My position and ransom 883

?HAP. LXII.— I escape from the bloody scene in a boat with a Krooman—Storm on

the coast—My perilous attempt to land at Gallinas—How I am warned off—AnAfrican tornado—The sufferings of my companion and myself while exposed in

the boat, and our final rescue 88T

CHAP. LXIIL—Don Pedro Blanco leaves Gallinas—I visit Cape Mount, to restore

bis eon to tbe Chief—His reception—I go to England in the Gil Blab ; she is run

XV'. CONTENTS

FAGldown by a steamer in the Channel—Eescned, and reach Dover—I see Londcii and

the British Islands—The diversions, sufferings, and opinions of my servant Lunesin Great Britain—He leaves voluntarily for Africa—A queer chat and scene with

the ladies—His opinion of negro dress and negro bliss 891

CHAP. LXIV.—I make arrangements for future trade and business with Mk. Eed-MAN—I go to Havana, resolved to obtain a release from Blanco, and engage in

lawful commerce—Don Pedro refuses, and sends me back with a freight—A voy-

age with two African females revisiting their native country—Their story in

Cuba ; results of frugality and industry—Shiakar's daughter—Her reception at

home—Her disgust with her savage home in Africa, and retr-n to Cuba . . 396

CHAP. LXV.—I find my establishment in danger, from the colonists and others—Acorrespondence with Lieut. Bell, U. S. N.—Harmless termination of GovbenoeBuchanan's onslaught—Threatened with famine ; my relief—The Voladoktakes 749 slaves

;—tite last caego I evee shipped 399

CHAP. LSVI.—I am attacked by the British cruiser Teemagant, Lieut Seageam—Correspondence and diplomacy— I go on board the cruiser in a damp uniform—My reception and joUiflcation

—I confess my intention to abandon theSlate tp.ade—My compact with Seagram—How we uanage Prince Freeman—His treaty with the Lieutenant for the suppression of the trade—The negro's du-

plicity outwits himself—The British officer guaranties the safe removal of vay

property, whereupon I release 100 slaves—Captain Denman's desteuction of

Gallinas—Freeman begins to see my diplomacy, and regrets his inability to

plunder my property, as the natives had done at Gallinas—His plot to effect this

—How I counteract it 405

CHAP. LXVIL—My barracoons destroyed—Adieus to New Sestros—1 sail with Sea-

gram, in the Termagant, for Cape Mount—A slaver in sight—All the nautical tnen

depart to attack her in boats during a calm—I am left in charge of Her Britannic

Majesty's cruiser—The fruitless issue—Escape of the Serea 411

CHAP. LXYIIL—"We land at Cape Mount, and obtain a cession of territory, by deed,

fi'om King Fana-Toeo and Psince Geat—I explore the region—Site of old

English slave factory—DiflSculty of making the negroes comprehend my improve-ments at New Florence—Negro speculations and phDosophy in regard to labor . 411

CHAP. LXLX.—^Visit to Monrovia—Description of the colony and its products-

Speculations on the future of the republic, and the character of colored coloni-

zation ^19

CHAP. LXX.—I remove, and settle permanently at New Florence—I open commu-nications with cruisers to supply them with provisions, &c.—Anecdote of Soma,

the gambler—His sale and danger in the hands of a Bushman—Mode of gamblingone's self away in Africa—A letter from Governor Macdonald destroys my pros-

- pect of British protection—I haul down the British flag

—I determine to devote

myself to husbandry—Bad prospect 424

CHAP. LXXI.—Account of the character of the Vey negroes—The Geee-gkee

bush—Description of this institution, its rites, services, and uses—Marriage and

midwifery—A scene with Fana-Toro, at Toso—Human sacrifice of his enemy;

frying a heart; indignity committed on the body—Anecdote of the king's endu-

rance; burns his finger as a test, and rallies his men—Death of Prince Gray—Fu-

neral rites among the Vey people—Smoking the corpse—I am offered tho choice

of his widows . 431

CHAP. LXXII.—My workshops, gardens, and plantations at the Capo Mount settle-

ment—I do not prosper as a farmer or trader with the interior—1 desire to liuild

CONTENTS. X?U

PAOBa coaster—I aid in tlio transfer of tho Yankee clipper A to a elaver—I part on

bad terms with tho British—Game at Capo Mount—Adventure of a boy and an

Owang-outang—IIow we killed leopards, and saved our castle—Mode of hunting

elephants—Elephant law 48T

CHAP. LXXIII.—Fana-Toro's war, and its effect on my establishment—I decline

joining actively in tho conflict—I allow captives to be shipped by a Gallinas factor

—Two years of blockade by tho British—A miraculous voyage of a long-boat with

thirty-three slaves to Bahla—My disasters and mishaps at Cape Mount in conse-

quence of this war—Exaggerations ofmy enemies—My true character—Letter from

Kev. John Seys to me—My desire to aid the missionaries—Cirx and Cuptis

stimulate the British against me—Adventure of the Chancellor—the British de-

stroy my establishment—Death of Eana-Toro—The natives revenge my losa—

Tbeeod i4i

-- V

THEOi)ORE CANOT.

CHAPTER I.

Whilst Bonaparte was busy cooquering Italy, my excellent

father, Louis Canot, a captain and paymaster in the French

army, thought fit to pursue his fortunes among the gentler sex

of that fascinating country, and luckily won the heart and hand

of a blooming Picdmontese, to whom I owe my birth in the capi-

tal of Tuscany.

M}' father was faithful to the Emperor as well as the Consul.

lie followed his sovereign in his disasters as well as glory ;nor

did he falter in allegiance until death closed his career on the

lield of Waterloo.

Soldiers' wives are seldom rich, and my mother was no ex-

ception to the rule. She was left in very moderate circum-

stances, with six children to support ;but the widow of an old

campaigner, who had partaken the sufferings of many a long and

dreary march with her husband, was neither disheartened b}* the

calamity, nor at a loss for thrifty expedients to educate her

younger ofi'spring. Accordingly, I was kept at school, studying

geography, arithmetic, history and the languages, until near

twelve years old, when it was thought time for me to choose a

profession. At school, and in my leisure hours, I had always

2 CAPTAIN canot; or

teen a greed}' devourer of books of travel, or historical narra<

tives full of stirring incidents, so that when I avowed my prefer-

ence for a sea-faring life, no one was surprised. Indeed, mj

fancy was rather applauded, as two of my mother's brothers had

served in the Neapolitan navy, under Murat. Proper inquiries

were quickly made at Leghorn ; and, in a few weeks, I found

myself on the mo/e of that noble seaport, comfortably equipped,

with a liberal outfit, ready to embark, as an apprentice, upon the

American ship Galatea, of Boston.

It was in the year 1819, that I first saluted the clement uponwhich it has been my destiny to pass so much of my life. The

reader will readily imagine the discomforts to which I was sub-

jected on this voyage. Born and bred in the interior of Italy,

I had only the most romantic ideas of the sea. My opinions

had been formed from the lives of men in loftier rank and under

more interesting circumstances. My career was necessarily one

of great hardship ; and, to add to my misfortunes, I had neither

companion nor language to vent my grief and demand sympathy.

For the first three months, I was the butt of every joker in the

ship. I was the scape-goat of every accident and of every one's

sins or carelessness. As I lived in the cabin, each plate, glass,

or utensil that fell to leeward in a gale, was charged to my negli-

gence. Indeed, no one seemed to compassionate my lot save a

fat, lubberly negro cook, whom I could not endure. He was the

first African my eye ever fell on, and I must confess that he

was the only friend I possessed during my early adventures.

Besides the oflicers of the Galatea, there was a clerk on

board, whom the captain directed to teach me English, so that,

by the time we reached Sumatra, I was able to stand up for my

rights, and plead my cause. As we could not obtain a cargo of

pepper on the island, we proceeded to Bengal ; and, on our arri-

val at Calcutta, the captain, who was also supercargo, took apart-

ments on shore, where the clerk and myself were allowed to fol-

low him.

According to tlte fashion of that period, the house provided

for our accommodation was a spacious and elegant one, equipped

with every oriental comfort and convenience, while fifteen or

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 3

twenty servants were always at the command of its inmates.

For tlirce montlis wc lived like nabobs, and sorry, indeed, was T

when the clerk announced that the vessel's loading was completed,

and our holiday over.

On the voyage home, I was promoted from the cabin, and

sent into the steerage to do duty as a "light hand," in the chief

mate's watch. Between this officer and the captain there was

ill blood, and, as I was considered the master's pet, I soon began

to feel the bitterness of the subordinate's spite. This fellow

was not only cross-grained, but absolutely malignant. One day,

while the ship was skimming along gayly with a five-knot breeze,

he ordered me out to the end of the jib-boom to loosen the sail;

yet, without waiting until I was clear of the jib, he suddenly

commanded the men who were at the halliards to hoist the can-

vas aloft. A sailor who stood by pointed out my situation, but

was cursed into silence. In a moment I was jerked into the air,

and, after performing half a dozen involuntary summersets, was

thrown into the water, some distance from the ship's side.

When I rose to the surface, I heard the prolonged cry of the

anxious crew, all of whom rushed to the ship's side, some with

ropes' ends, some with chicken coops, while others sprang to the

stern boat to prepare it for launching. In the midst of the

hurly-burly, the captain reached the deck, and laid the ship to;

the sailor who had remonstrated with the mate having, in the

meantime, clutched that officer, and attempted to throw him

over, believing I had been drowned by his cruelty. As the sails

of the Galatea flattened against the wind, many an anxious e3ê

was strained over the water in search of me;but I was nowhere

seen ! In truth, as the vessel turned on her heel, the movement

brought her so close to the spot where I rose, that I clutched a

rope thrown over for my rescue, and climbed to the lee channels

without being perceived. As I leaped to the deck, I found one

half the men in tunmltuous assemblage around the struggling

mate and sailor;but my sudden apparition served to divert the

mob from its fell purpose, and, in a few moments, order was per-

fectly restored. Our captain was an intelligent and just man,

as may be readily supposed from the fact that he exclusively

CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

controlled so valuable an enterprise. Accordingly, the matter

was examined with much deliberation; and, on the following

day, the chief mate was deprived of his command. I should not

forget to mention that, in the midst of the excitement, my sable

friend the cook leaped overboard to rescue his protege. Nobody

happened to notice the darkey when he sprang into the sea; and,

as he swam in a direction quite contrary from the spot where I

fell, he was nigh being lost, when the ship's sails were trimmed

upon her course. Just at that moment a faint call was heard

from the sea, and the woolly skull perceived in time for rescue.

This adventure elevated not only"

little Theodore," but our"culinary artist" in the good opinion of the mess. Every Sat-

urday night my African friend was allowed to share the cheer

of the forecastle, while our captain presented him with a certifi-

cate of his meritorious deed, and made the paper more palatable

by the promise of a liberal bounty in current coin at the end of

the voyage.

I now began to feel at ease, and acquire a genuine fondness

for sea life. My aptitude for languages not only familiarized me

with English, but enabled me soon to begin the scientific study

of navigation, in which, I am glad to say, that Captain Solomon

Towne was always pleased to aid my industrious efforts.

We touched at St. Helena for supplies, but as Napoleon was

still alive, a British frigate met us within five miles of that rock-

bound coast, and after furnishing a scant supply of water, bade

us take our way homeward.

I remember very well that it was a fine night in July, 1820,

when we touched the wharf at Boston, Massachusetts. Captain

Towne's family resided in Salem, and, of course, he was soon on

his way thither. The new mate had a young wife in Boston, and

he, too, was speedily missing. One by one, the crew sneaked off

in the darkness. The second mate quickly found an excuse for

a visit in the neighborhood ;so that, by midnight, the Galatea,

with a cargo valued at about one hundred and twenty thousand

dollars, was intrusted to the watchfulness of a stripling cabin-

boy.

I do not say it boastfully, but it is true that, whenever I

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. O

have been placed in responsible situations, from the ear) /est

period of my recollection, I felt an immediate stirrin;^ of tiiat

pride which always made me equal, or at least willing, for the

required duty. All night long I paced the deck. Of all the

wandering crowd that had accompanied me nearly a year across

many seas, I alone had no companions, friends, home, or sweet-

heart, to seduce me from my craft;and I confess that the senti-

ment of loneliness, which, under other circumstances, might have

unmanned me at my American greeting, was stifled by the min-

gled vanity and pride with which I trod the quarter-deck as tem-

porary captain.

When dawn ripened into daylight, I remembered the stirring

account my shipmates had given of the beauty of Boston, and I

suddenly felt disposed to imitate the example of my fellow-sail-

ors. Honor, however, checked my feet as they moved towards

the ship's ladder;

so that, instead of descending her side, I

closed the cabin door, and climbed to the maiu-royal yard, to see

the city at least, if I could not mingle with its inhabitants. I

expected to behold a second Calcutta;but my-fael^-Vas not gra-

tified. Instead of observing the long, glittering lines of palaces

and villas I left in India and on the Tuscan shore, my Italian

eyes were first of all saluted by dingy bricks and painted boards.

But, as my sight wandered away from the town, and swept dowti

both sides of the beautiful bay, filled with its lovely islands, and

dressed in the fresh greenness of summer, I confess that mymemory and heart were magically carried away into the heart of

Italy, playing sad tricks with my sense of duty, wlieu I was

abruptly restored to consciousness by hearing the heavy foot-

fall of a stranger on deck.

The intruder—as well as I could see from aloft—seemed to

be a stout, elderly person. I did not delay to descend the rat-

lins, but slid down a back-stay, just in time to meet the stran-

ger as he approached our cabin. My notions of Italian manners

did not yet permit me to appreciate the greater freedom and

social liberty with which I have since become so familiar in

America, and it may naturally be supposed that I was rather

peremptory in ordering the inquisitive Bostonian to leave tha

6 CAPTAIN canot; or,

ship. 1 was in command—in mj Jirst command; and so uncere^

monious a visit was peculiarly annoying. Nor did the conduct

of the intruder lessen my anger, as, quietl}' smiling at my order,

he continued moving around the ship, and peered into every nook

and corner. Presently he demanded whether I was alone ?

My self-possession was quite sufficient to leave the qi;estion un-

answered;but I ordered him off again, and, to enforce my com-

mand, called a dog that did not exist. My ruse, however, did

not succeed. The Yankee still continued his examination, while

I followed closely on his heels, now and then twitching the long

skirts of his surtout to enforce my mandate for his departure.

During this promenade, my unwelcome guest questioned me

about the captain's health,—about the mate,—as to the cause of

his dismissal.—about our cargo,—and the length of our voyage.

Each new question begot a shorter and more surly answer. I

was perfectly satisfied that he was not only a rogue, but a most

impudent one;and my Eraneo-Italian temper strained almost to

bursting.

By this time, we approached the house which covered the

steering-gear at the ship's stern, and in which were buckets con-

taining a dozen small turtles, purchased at the island of Ascen-

sion, where we stopped to water after the refusal at St. Helena.

The turtle at once attracted the stranger's notice, and he promptlyoffered to purchase them. I stated that only half the lot be-

longed to me, but that I would sell the whole, provided he

was able to pay. In a moment, my persecutor drew forth a well-

worn pocket-book, and handing me six dollars, asked whether I

was satisfied with the price. The dollars were unquestionable

gleams, if not absolute proofs, of honesty, and I am sure myheart would have melted had not the purchaser insisted on taking

one of the buckets to convey the turtles home. Now, as these

charming implements were part of the ship's pride, as well as

property, and had been laboriously adorned by our marine artists

with a spread eagle and the vessel's name, I resisted the demand,

offering, at the same time, to return the money. But my turtle-

dealer was not to be repulsed so easily ;his ugly smile still

sneered in my face as he endeavored to push me asidf> and drag

TWENTY YKARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 7

the bucket from my hand. I soon found that he was the stronger

of the two, and that it would be impossible for me to rescue mybucket fairly; so, giving it a sudden twist and shake, I contrived

to upset both water and turtles on the deck, thus sprinkling the

feet and coat-tails of the veteran with a copious ablution. To

my surprise, however, the tormentor's cursed grin not only con-

tinued but absolutely expanded to an immoderate laugh, the up-

roariousncss of which was increased by another suspicious Bosto-

nian, who leaped on deck during our dispute. By this time I was

in a red heat. My lips were white, my chceEs in a blaze, and myeyes sparks. Beyond myself with ferocious rage, I gnashed myteeth, and buried them in the hand which I could not otherwise

release from its grasp on the bucket. In the scramble, I either

lost or destroyed part of my bank notes; yet, being conqueror

at last, I became clement, and taking up my turtles, once more

insisted upon the departure of my annoyers. There is no doubt

that I larded my language with certain epithets, very current

among sailors, most of which are learned more rapidly by foreign-

ers than the politer parts of speech.

Still the abominable monster, nothing daunted by my on-

slaught, rushed to the cabin, and would doubtless have de-

scended, had not I been nimbler than he in reaching the doors,

against which I placed my back, in defiance. Here, of course,

another battle ensued, enlivened by a chorus of laughter from a

crowd of laborers on the wharf This time I could not bite, yet

I kept the apparent thief at bay with my feet, kicking his shins

unmercifully whenever he approached, and swearing in the choicest

Tuscan.

He who knows any thing of Italian character, especially when

it is additionally spiced by French condiments, may imagine the

intense rage to which so volcanic a nature as mine was, by this

time, fully aroused. Language and motion were nearly exhaust-

ed. I could neither speak nor strike. The mind's passion had

almost produced the body's paralysis. Tears began to fall from

my eyes : but still he laughed ! At length, I suddenly flung wide

the cabrn doors, and leaping below at a bound, seized from the

rack a loaded musket, with which I rushed upon deck. As soon


as the muzzle appeared above the hatchway, my tormentor sprang

over the ship, and by the time I reached the ladder, I found him

on the wharf, surrounded by a laughing and shouting crowd. I

shook my head menacingly at the group ;and shouldering my

firelock, mounted guard at the gangway. It was fully a quarter

of an hour that I paraded (occasionally ramming home my mus-

ket's charge, and varying the amusement by an Italian defiance

to the jesters), before the tardy mate made his appearance on

the wharf. But what was my consternation, when I beheld him

advance deferentially to my pestilent visitor, and taking ^ff his

hat, respectfully offer to conduct him on board ! This was a

great lesson to me in life on the subject of "appearances." The

shabby old individual was no less a personage than the celebrated

William Gray, of Boston, owner of the Galatea and cargo, and

proprietor of many a richer craft then floating on every sea.

But Mr. Gray was a forgiving enemy. As he left the ship

that morning, he presented me fifty dollars," in exchange," he

said," for the six destroyed in protection of his property ;

"

and, on the day of my discharge, he not only paid the wages of

my voyage, but added fifty dollars more to aid my schooling in

scientific navigation.

Four years after, I again met this distinguished merchant at

the Marlborough Hotel, in Boston. I was accompanied, on that

occasion, by an uncle who visited the United States on a com-

mercial tour. "When my relative mentioned my name to Mr.

Gray, that gentleman immediately recollected me, and told myvenerable kinsman that he never received such abuse as I

bestowed on him in July, 1820 ! The sting of my teeth, he

declared, still tingled in his hand, while the kicks I bestowed

on his ankles, occasionally displayed the scars they had left on

his limbs. He seemed particularly annoyed, however, by some

caustic remarks I had made about his protuberant stomach, and

forgave the blows but not the language.

My uncle, who was somewhat of a tart disciplinarian, gaveme an extremely black look, while, in French, he demanded an

explanation of my conduct. I knew Mr. Gray, however, better

than my relative;and so, without heeding his reprimand, I an-

TWENTY YKARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 9

Bwercd, in English, that if I cursed the ship's owner on that

occasion, it was my debut in the English language on the Ameri-

can continent;and as my Anglo Saxon education had been fin-

ished in a forecastle, it was not to be expected I should be select

in my vocabulary."Nevertheless," I added,

" Mr. Gray was

so delighted with my accolade, that he valued my defence of his

property and our delicious tetc-d-ttte at the sum of a hundred

dollars!"

lO CArxAiN canot; oa

CHAPTER II.

The anecdote told in tlic last chapter revived my uncle's recol-

lection of several instances of my early impetuosity ; amongwhich was a rencounter with Lord Byron, while that poet was

residing at his villa on the slope of Monte Negro near Leghorn,which he took the liherty to narrate to Mr. Gray.

A commercial house at that port, in which my uncle had some

interest, was the noble lord's banker;

—and, one day, while my

relative and the poet were inspecting some boxes recently arrived

from Greece, I was dispatched to see them safely deposited in

the warehouse. Suddenly, Lord Byron demanded a penciL Myuncle had none with him, but remembering that I had lately

been presented one in a handsome silver case, requested the

loan of it. Now, as this was my first silver possession, I was

somewhat reluctant to let it leave my possession even for a mo-

ment, and handed it to his lordship with a bad grace. When the

poet had made his memorandum, he paused a moment, as if lost

in thought, and then very unceremoniously—

but, doubtless, in a

fit of abstraction—put the pencil in his pocket. If I had already

visited America at that time, it is likely that I would have

warned the Englishman of his mistake on the spot ; but, as

children in the Old World are rather more curbed in their inter-

course with elders than on this side of the Atlantic, I bore the

forgetfulness as well as I could until next morning. Summoningall my resolution, I repaired without my uncle's knowledge to

the poet's house at an early hour, and after much difficulty was


admitted to his room. He was still in bed. Every body baa

heard of Byron's peevishness, when disturbed or intruded on.

He demanded my business in a petulant and oflfensive tone. I

replied, respectfully, that on the preceding day I loaned him a

silver pencil,—strongly emphasizing and repeating the word silver^—which, I was grieved to say, he forgot to return. Byron reflect-

ed a moment, and then declared he had restored it to me on the

spot ! I mildly but lirmly denied the fact;while his lordship

as sturdily reasserted it. In a short time, we were both in such

a passion that Byron commanded me to leave the room. I edged

out of the apartment with the slow, defying air of angry boy-

hood;but when I reached the door, I suddenly turned, and

looking at him with all the bitterness I felt for his nation, called

him, in French," an English hog !

"Till then our quarrel had

been waged in Italian. Hardly were the words out of my mouth

when his lordship leaped from the bed, and in the scantiest dra-

pery imaginable, seized me by the collar, inflicting such a shaking

as I would willingly have exchanged for a tertian ague from the

Pontine marshes. The sudden air-bath probably cooled his

choler, for, in a few moments, we found ourselves in a pacific ex-

planation about the luckless pencil. Hitherto I had not men-

tioned my uncle;but the moment I stated the relationship,

Byron became pacified and credited my story. After searching

his pockets once more inefi"ectually for the lost silver^ he present-

ed me his own gold pencil instead, and requested me to say whyI " cursed him ill French V

" My father was a Frenchman, my lord," said I.

" And your mother ?"

" She is an Italian, sir."

" Ah ! no wonder, then, you called me an '

English hog.'

The hatred runs in the blood; you could not help it."

After a moment's hesitation, he continued,—still pacing the

apartment in his night linen,—" You don't like the English, do

you, my boy ?"

"No," said I,

" I don't.'

" Why ?" returned Byron, quietly.

" Because my father died fighting them," replied I.

12 CAPTAIN CANOT

"Then, youngster, you have a right to hate them," said the

poet, as he put me gently out of the door, and locked it on the

inside.

A week after, one of the porters of my uncle's warehouse

offered to sell, at an exorbitant price, what he called " Lord

Byron's pencil," declaring that his lordship had presented it to

him. My uncle was on the eve of bargaining with the man,

when he perceived his (fsvn initials on the silver. In fact, it was

my lost gift. Byron, in his abstraction, had evidently mistaken

the porter for myself ;so the servant was rewarded with a trifling

gratuity, while my virtuoso uncle took the liberty to appropriate

the golden relic of Byron to himself, and put me off with the

humbler remembrance of his honored name.

These, however, are episodes. Let us return once more to

the Galatea and her worthy commander.

Captain Towne retired to Salem after the hands were dis-

charged, and took me with him to reside in his family until he

was ready for another voyage. In looking back through the vista

of a stormy and adventurous life, my memory lights on no hap-

pier days than those spent in this seafaring emporium. Salem,

in 1821, was my paradise. I received more kindness, enjoyed

more juvenile pleasures, and found more affectionate hospitality

in that comfortable city than I can well describe. Every boy

was my friend. No one laughed at my broken English, but on

the contrary, all seemed charmed by my foreign accent. People

thought proper to surround me with a sort of romantic mystery,

for, perhaps, there was a flavor of the dashing dare-devil in my

demeanor, which imparted influence over homelier companions

Besides this, I soon got the reputation of a scholar. I was con

sidered a marvel in languages, inasmuch as I spoke French, Ital

ian, Spanish, English, and professed a familiarity with Latin. I

remember there was a wag in Salem, who, determining one day

to test my acquaintance with the latter tongue, took me into a

neio-hborino- druso-ist's, where there were some Latin volumes,

and handed me one with the request to translate a page, either

verbally or on paper. Fortunately, the book he produced was

.^sop, whose fables had been so thoroughly studied by me twc


years before, that I even knew some of tlicm by heart. Still, ag

I was not very well versed in the niceties of English, I thought

it prudent to make my version of the selected fable in French;

and, f.s there was a neighbor who knew the latter language per-

fectly, my translation was soon rendered into English, and the

proficiency of the " Italian boy" conceded

I sailed during five years from Salem on voyages to various

parts of the world, always employing my leisure, while on shore

and at sea, in familiarizing myself minutely with the practical

and scientific details of the profession to which I designed ievot-

in<r mv life. I do not mean to narrate the adventures of those

early voyages, but I cannot help setting down a single anecdote

of that fresh and earnest period, in order to illustrate the

changes that time and " circianstances " are said to work on

human character.

In my second voyage to India, I was once on shore with the

captain at Quallahbattoo, in search of pepper, when a large ^;rofir,

or Malay canoe, arrived at the landing crammed with prisoners,

from one of the islands. The unfortunate victims were to be

sold as slaves. They were the Jirsi slaves I had seen ! As the

human cargo was disembarked, I observed one of the Malays

dragging a handsome young female by the hair along the beach.

Cramped by long confinement in the wet bottom of the canoe,

the shrieking girl was unable to stand or walk. My blood was

up quickly. I ordered the brute to desist from his cruelty ;

and, as he answered with a derisive laugh, I felled him to the

earth with a single blow of my boat-hook. This impetuous vin-

dication of humanity forced us to quit Quallahbattoo in great

haste; but, at the age of seventeen, my feelings ia regard to

slavery were very different from what this narrative may disclose

them to have become in later days.

When my apprenticeship was over, I made two or three suc-

cessful voyages as mate, until—I am ashamed to say,—that a

"disappointment" caused me to forsake my employers, and to

yield to the temptations of reckless adventure. This sad and

early blight overtook me at Antwerp,—a port rather noted for


the backslidings of young seamen. My hard-earned pay soon

diminished very sensibly, while I was desperately in love with

a Belgian beauty, who made a complete fool of me—for at least

three months ! From Antwerp, I betook myself to Paris to vent

my second "disappointment." The pleasant capital of la belle

France was a cup that I drained at a single draught. Few youngmen of eighteen or twenty have lived faster. The gaming tables

at Frascati's and the Palais Royal finished my consumptive

purse ; and, leaving an empty trunk as a recompense for mylandlord, I took " French leave" one fine morning, and hastened

to sea.

The reader will do me the justice to believe that nothing but

the direst necessity compelled me to embark on board a British

vessel, bound to Brazil. The captain and his wife who accom-

panied him, were both stout, handsome Irish people, of equal

age, but addicted to fondness for strong and flavored drinks.

My introduction on board was signalized by the ceremonious

bestowal upon me of the key of the spirit-locker, with a strict

injunction from the commander to deny more than three glasses

daily either to his wife or himself I hardly comprehended this

singular order at first, but, in a few days, I became aware of its

propriety. About eleven o'clock her ladyship generally ap-

proached when I was serving out the men's ration of gin, and

requested me to fill her tumbler. Of course, I gallantly com-

plied. When I returned from deck below with the bottle, she

again required a similar dose, which, with some reluctance, I fur-

nished. At dinner the dame drank porter^ but passed off the

gin on her credulous husband as water. This system of decep-

tion continued as long as the malt liquor lasted, so that her lady-

ship received and swallowed daily a triple allowance of capital

grog. Indeed, it is quite astonishing what quantities of the

article can sometimes be swallowed by seafaring icomen. The

oddness of their appetite for the cordials is not a little enhanced

by the well-known aversion the sex have to spirituous fluids, in

every shape, on shore. Perhaps the salt air may have something

to da with the acquired relish; but, as I am not composing an

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFUICAN SLAVER. 15

essay on temperance, I shall leave the discussion to wiser pliy-

eiologists.

My companions' indulgence illustrated another diversity be-

tween the sexes, which I believe is historically true from the

earliest records to the present day. The lady broke her rule,

but the captain adhered faithfully to his. Whilst on duty, the

allotted three glasses completed his potations. But when we

reached Rio do Janeiro, and there was no longer need of ab.sti-

nence, save for the sake of propriety, both my shipmates gaveloose to their thirst and tempers. They drank, quarrelled, and

kissed, with more frequency and fervor than any creatures it has

been my lot to encounter throughout an adventurous life. After

we got the vessel into the inner harbor,—

though not without

a mishap, owing to the captain's drunken stubbornness,—my Irish

friends resolved to take lodirings for a while on shore. For

two days they did not make their appearance ;but toward the

close of the third, they returned,"fresh," as they said,

" from

the theatre." It was very evident that the jolly god had been

their companion ; and, as I was not a little scandalized by the

conjugal scenes which usually closed these frolics, I hastened to

order tea under the awning on deck, while I betook myself to a

hammock which was slung on the main boom. Just as I fell off

into pleasant dreams, I was roused from my nap by a preludeto the opera. Madame gave her lord the lie direct. A loaf of

bread, discharged against her head across the table, was his

reply. Not content with this harmless demonstration of rage,

he tscized the four corners of the table cloth, and jrathcrinjr the

tea-things and food in the sack, threw the whole overboard into

the bay. In a flash, the tigress fastened on his scanty locks

with one hand, while, with the other, she pummelled his eyes and

nose. Badly used as he was, I must confess that the captain

proved too generous to retaliate on that portion of his spousewhere female charms are most bewitching and visible

; still, I

am much mistaken if the sound spanking she received did not

elsewhere leave marks of physical vigor that would have been

creditable to a pugilist.

It was remarkable that these human tornados were as violent

16 CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

and brief as those wliich scourge tropical lands as well as tropica4

characters. In a quarter of an hour there was a dead calm.

The silence of the night, on those still and star-lit waters, was

only broken by a sort of chirrup, that might have been mistaken

for a cricket, but which I think was a kiss. Indeed, I was

rapidly going off again to sleep, when I was called to give the

key of the spirit-locker,—a glorious resource that never failed as

a solemn seal of reconciliation and bliss.

Next morning, before I awoke, the captain went ashore, and

when his wife, at breakfast, inquired my knowledge of the night's

affray, my gallantry forced me to confess that I was one of the

soundest sleepers on earth or water, and, Inoreover, that I was

surprised to learn there had been the least difference between

such happy partners. In spite of my simplicitj-, the lady in-

sisted on confiding her griefs, with the assurance that she would

not have been half so angry had not her spouse foolishly thrown

her silver spoons into the sea, with the bread and butter. She

grew quite eloquent on the pleasures of married life, and told meof many a similar reproof she had been forced to give her hus-

band during their voyages. It did him good, she said, and kepthim wholesome. In fact, she hoped, that if ever I married, I

would have the luck to win a guardian like herself Of course,

I was again most gallantly silent. Still, I could not help reserv-

ing a decision as to the merits of matrimony ;for present appear-

ances certainly did not demonstrate the bliss I had so often read

and heard of At any rate, I resolved, that if ever I ventured

upon a trial of love, it should, at least, in the first instance, be

love iciihout liquor !

On our return to Europe we called at Dover for orders, and

found that Antwerp was our destination. We made sail at sun-

set, but as the wind was adverse and the weather boisterous, we

anchored for two days in the Downs. At length, during a lull

of the gale, we sailed for the mouth of the Scheldt; but, as we

approached the coast of Holland, the wind became light and

baffling, so that we were unable to enter the river. "We had

not taken a pilot at Ramsgate, being confident of obtaining one

off" Flushing. At sundown, the storm again arose in all its fury


from the northwest;but all attempts to put back to England

were unavailing, for we dared not show a .rag of sail before the

howling tempest. It was, indeed, a fearful night of wind, hail,

darkness, and anxiety. At two o'clock in the morning, we

suddenly- grounded on one of the numerous banks off Flushing.

Hardly had we struck when the sea made a clean sweep over us,

covering the decks with sand, and snapping the spars like pipe-

stems. The captain was killed instantly by the fall of a top-gal-

lant yard, which crushed his skull;while the sailors, who in such

moments seem possessed by utter recklessness, broke into the

spirit-room and drank to excess. For awhile I had some hopethat the stanchness of our vessel's hull might enable us to cling

to her till daylight, but she speedily bilged and began to fill.

After this it would have been madness to linger. The boats

were still safe. The long one was quickl}' filled by the crew, un-

der the command of the second mate—who threw an anker of

gin into the craft before he leaped aboard,—while I reserved the

jolly-boat for myself, the captain's widow, the cook, and the stew-

ard. The long-boat was never heard of

All night long that dreadful nor'wcster howled along and

lashed the narrow sea between England and the Continent; yet

I kept our frail skifi" before it, hoping, at daylight, to descry the

lowlands of Belgium. The heart-broken woman rested motion-

less in the stern-sheets. We covered her with all the available

garments, and, even in the midst of our own griefs, could not

help feeling that the suddenness of her double desolation had

made her perfectly unconscious of our drear}' surroundings.

Shortly after eight o'clock a cry of joy announced the sight

of land within a short distance. The villagers of Bragden, who

soon descried us, hastened to the beach, and rushing knee-deepinto the water, signalled that the shore was safe after passing the

surf. The sea was churned by the storm into a perfect foam.

Breakers roared, gathered, and poured along like avalanches.

Still, there was no hope for us but in passing the line of these

angry sentinels. Accordingly, I watched the swell, and pulling

firmly, bow on, into the first of the breakers, we spun with such

arrowy swiftness across the intervening space, that I recollect


nothing until wu were clasped in the arms of the brawny Belgians on the beach.

But, alas ! the poor widow was no more. I- cannot imaginewhen she died. During the four hours of our passage from the

wreck to land, her head rested on my lap ; yet no spasm of pain

or convulsion marked the moment of her departure.

That night the parish priest buried the unfortunate lady, and

afterwards carried round a plate, asking alms,—not for masses to

insure the repose of her soul,—but to defray the expenses of

the living to Ostend.


CHAPTER III.

I HAD no time or temper to be idle. In a week, I was on board

a Dutch galliot, bound to Havana;but I soon perceived that I

was again under the command of two captains—male and female.

The regular master superintended the navigation, while the

bloomer controlled the whole of us. Indeed, the dame was the

actual owner of tiie craft, and, from skipper to cabin-boy, gov-

erned not only our actions but our stomachs. I know not

whether it was piety or economy that swayed her soul, but I

never met a person who was so rigid as this lady in the obser-

vance of the church calendar, especially whenever a day of absti-

nence allowed her to deprive us of our beef. Nothing but mydestitution compelled me to ship in this craft

; still, to say the

truth, I had well-nigh given up all idea of returning to the

United States, and determined to engage in any adventurous ex-

pedition that my profession offered. In 1824, it will be remem-

bered, Mexico, the Spanish main, Peru, and the Pacific coasts,

were renowned for the fortunes they bestowed on enterprise ;

and, as the galliot was bound to Havana, I hailed her as a sort

of floating bridge to my El Dorado.

On the seventh night after our departure, while beating out

of the bay of Biscay with a six-knot breeze, in a clear moonlight,

we ran foul of a vessel which approached us on the opposite tack.

Whence she sprang no one could tell. In an instant, she appear-

20 CAPTAIN CANOT

ed and was on us with a dreadful concussion. Every man was

prostrated on deck and all our masts were carried away. Fromthe other vessel we heard shrieks and a cry of despair; but the

ill-omened miscreant disappeared as rapidly as she approached,and left us floating a helpless log, on a sea proverbial for storms.

We contrived, however, to reach the port of Ferrol, in

Spain, where we were detained four months, in consequence of the

difficulty of obtaining the materials for repairs, notwithstandingthis place is considered the best and largest ship yard of Cas-

tile.

It was at Ferrol that I met with a singular adventure, which

was well-nigh depriving me of my personal identity, as Peter

Schlemhil was deprived of his shadow. I went one afternoon in

my boat to the other side of the harbor to obtain some pieces of

leather from a tannery, and, having completed my purchase, was

lounging slowl}^ towards the quay, when I stopped at a house for

a drink of water. I was handed a tumbler by the trim-built,

black-eyed girl, who stood in the doorway, and whose rosy lips

and sparkling eyes were more the sources of my thirst than the

water; but, while I was drinking, the damseWan into the dwel-

ling, and hastily returned with her mother and another sister,

who stared at me a moment without saying a word, and simulta-

neously fell upon my neck, smothering my lips and chteks

with repeated kisses !

" Oh I mi querido hijo,"" said the mother." Carissinio Antonio,''^ sobbed the daughter." Mi hermano !

" exclaimed her sister.

" Dear son, dear Antonio, dear brother ! Come into the

house;where have you been ? Your grandmother is dying to

see you once more ! Don't delay an instant, but come in without

a word ! Por dios ! that we should have caught you at last, and

in such a way : Ave Maria ! madrecita, aqui viene Antonito! "

In the midst of all these exclamations, embraces, fondlings,

and kisses, it may easily be imagined that I stood staring about

me with wide eyes and mouth, and lialf^drained tumbler in hand,

like one in a dream. I asked no questions, but as the dame was

buxom, and the girls were fresh, I kissed in return, and followed


unreluctantly as they half dragged, half carried me into their

doniieil. On the door sill of the inner apartment I found myself

locked in the skinny arms of a brown and withered crone, who

was said to be my grandmother, and, of course, my youthful

moustache was properly bedewed with the moisture of her

toothless mouth.

As soon as I was seated, I took the liberty to say,—though

without any protest against this charming assault,— that I

fancied there might possibly be some mistake;

but I was

quickly silenced. My madrecita declared at once, and in the

presence of my four shipmates, that, six years before, I left her

on my first voyage in a Dutch vessel;that my querido padre,

had gone to bliss two years after my departure ; and, according-

ly, that now, I, Antonio Goii^z y Carrasco, was the only sur-

viving male of the family, and, of course, would never more quit

either her, my darling sisters, or the old 'pohrecita, our grand-

mother. This florid explanation was immediately closed like the

pleasant air of an opera by a new chorus of kisses, nor can

there be any doubt that I responded to the embraces of my sweet

liermanas with thejnost gratifying fraternity.

Our charming quartette lasted in all its harmony for half an

hour, during which voile}' after volley of family secrets was dis-

charged into my eager ears. So rapid was the talk, and so

quickly was its thread taken up and spun out by each of the

three, that I had no opportunity to interpose. At length,

however, in a momentary lull and in a jocular manner,—but in

rather bad Spanish,—I ventured to ask my loving and talkative

luamma," what amount of property my worthy father had deemed

proper to leave on earth for his son when he took his departure

to rest con Dios ?" I thought it possible that this agreeable

drama was a Spanish joke, got up aV imjjrovista, and that I

might end it by exploding the dangerous mine of money : besides

this, it was growing late, and my return to the galliot w.as

imperative.

But alas ! my question brought tears in an instant into mymother's eyes, and I saw that the scene was 7iot a jest. AccordinglyI hastened, in all seriousness, to explain and insist on their error.

S2 CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

I protested with all the force of my Franco-Italian nature and

Spanish rhetoric, against the assumed relationship. But all

was unavailing ; they argued and persisted ; they brought in the

neighbors ;lots of old women and old men, with rusty cloaks or

shawls, with cigars or cigarillos in mouth, formed a jury of

inquest ;so that, in the end, thei-e was an unanimous verdict in

favor of my Glalician nativity !

Finding matters had indeed taken so serious a turn, and know-

ing the impossibility of eradicating an impression from the female

mind when it becomes imbedded with so much apparent con-

viction, I resolved to yield ; and, assuming the manner of a

penitent prodigal, I kissed the girls, embraced my mother,

passed my head over both shoulders of my grand-dame, and

promised my progenitors a visit next day.

As I did not keep my word, and two suns descended without

my return, the imaginary" mother "

applied to the ministers of

law to enforce her rights over the truant boy. The Alcalde^

after hearing my story, dismissed the claim;but my dissatisfied

relatives summoned me, on appeal, before the governor of the

district, nor was it without infinite'

difficulty that I at last

succeeded in shaking off their annoying consanguinity.

I have always been at a loss to account for this queer mis-

take. It is true that my father was in Spain with the French

army during Napoleon's invasion, but that excellent gentleman

was a faithful spouse as well as valiant soldier, and I do not

remember that he ever sojourned in the pleasant port of Fer-

rol!

At length, wu sailed for Havana, and nothing of importance

occurred to break the monotony of our hot and sweltering voyage,

save a sudden flurry of jealousy on the part of the captain, who

imagined I made an attempt to conquer the pious and economical

heart of his wife ! In truth, nothing was further from my mind

or taste than such an enterprise ;but as the demon had complete

possession of him, and his passion was stimulated by the lies of

a cabin boy, I was forced to undergo an inquisitorial examina-

tion, which I resisted manfully but fruitlessly. The Bloomer


dame, who knew her man, assumed such an air of outraged

innocence and calumniated virtue, interlarded with sobs, tears,

and hysterics, that her perplexed husband was quite at his wit's

end, but terminated the scene by abruptly ordering me to mystate-room.

This was at nightfall. I left the cabin willingly but with

great mortification; yet the surly pair eyed each other with

so much auger that I had some fear for the denouement. I

know not what passed during the silent watches of that night ;

biit doubtless woman's witchcraft had much to do in pouring oil

on the seared heart of the skipper. At daylight he emergedfrom his cabin with orders to have the tell tale cabin boy

soundly thrashed; and, when Madame mounted the deck, I saw

at a glance that her influence was completely restored. Nor

was I neglected in this round of reconciliation. In tho course

of the day, I was requested to resume my duty on board, but I

stubbornly refused. Indeed, my denial caused the captain great

uneasiness, for he was a miserable navigator, and, now that we

approached the Bahamas, my services were chiefly requisite.

The jealous scamp was urgent in desiring me to forget the past

and resume duty ;still I declined, especially as his wife inform-

ed me in private that there would perhaps be peril in my com-

pliance.

The day after we passed the " Hole in the Wall" and steered

for Salt Key, we obtained no meridian observation, and no one

on board, except myself, was capable of taking a lunai-, which in

our position, among unknown keys and currents, was of the

greatest value. I knew this troubled the skipper, yet, after his

wife's significant warniftg, I did not think it wise to resume myfunctions. Nevertheless, I secretly made calculations and

watched the vessel's course. Another day went by without a

noontide observation; but, at midnight, I furtively obtained a

lunar, by the result of which I found we were drifting close to

the Cuba reefs, about five miles from the Cruz del Padre.

As soon as I was sure of my calculation and sensible of im-

minent danger, I did not hesitate to order the second officer,—

uhose watch it was,—to call all hands and tack ship. At the

24 CAPTAIN CANOTj OR,

same time, I directed the helmsman to luff the galliot close into

the wind's eje.

But the new mate, proud of his command, refused to obeyuntil the captain was informed

;nor would he call that oflBcer,

inasmuch as no danger was visible ahead on the allotted course.

But time was precious. Delay would lose us. As I felt confi-

dent of my opinion, I turned abruptly from the disobedient

mariners, and letting go the main brace, brought the vessel to

with the topsail aback. Quickly, then, I ordered the watch as

it rushed aft, to clew up the mainsail;

—but alas ! no one would

obey; and, in the fracas, the captain, who rushed on deck igno-

rant of the facts or danger, ordered me back to my state-room

with curses for my interference in his skilful navigation.

"With a shrug of my shoulders, I obeyed. Remonstrance was

useless. For twenty minutes the galliot cleft the waters on her

old course, when the look-out screamed :

" Hard up !—rocks and

breakers dead a-head !"

" Put down the helm !

"yelled the confused second-mate

;

—but the galliot lost her headway, and, taken aback, shaved the

edge of a foam-covered rock, dropping astern on a reef with

seven feet water around her.

All was consternation;

—sails flapping ;breakers roaring ;

ropes snapping and beating ;masts creaking ;

hull thumpiug ;

men shouting ! The captain and his wife were on deck in the

wink of an eye. Every one issued an order and no one obeyed.

At last, the lady shouted—"let go the anchor !

"—the worst

command that could be given,— and down went the best bower

and the second anchor, while the vessel swung round, and dashed

flat on both of them. No one seemed to think of clewing up the

sails, and thereby lessening the impetuous surges of the unfor-

tunate galliot.

Our sad mishap occurred about one o'clock in the morning.

Fortunately there was not much wind and the sea was tolerably

calm, so that we could recognize, and, in some degree, control

our situation;

—yet, every thing on board appeared given over

to Batavian stupidity and panic.

My own feelings may be understood by those who have calmly


passed through danger, while they beheld their companions un-

manned by fear or lack of coolness. There was no use of my in-

terference, for no one would heed me. At last the captain's wife,

who was probably the most collected individual on board, called

my name loudly, and in the presence of officers and crew, who,

by this time were generally crowded on the quarter-deck, en-

treated me to save her ship !

Of course, I sprang to duty. Every sail was clewed up,

while the anchors were weighed to prevent our thumping on

them. I next ordered the boats to be lowered; and, taking a

crew in one, directed the captain to embark in another to seek an

escape from our perilous trap. At daylight, we ascertained that

we had crossed the edge of the reef at high water, yet it would

be useless to attempt to force her back, as she was already half a

foot buried ia the soft and mushy outcroppings of coral.

Soon after sunrise, we beheld, at no great distance, one of

those low sandy keys which are so well known to West Indian

navigators ; while, further in the distance, loomed up the blue

and beautiful outline of the highlands of Cuba. The sea was

not much ruffled by swell or waves;but as we gazed at the key,

which we supposed deserted, we saw a boat suddenly shoot from

behind one of its joints and approach our wreck. The visitors

were five in number;

their trim, beautiful boat was completely

furnished with fishing implements, and four of the hands spoke

Spanish only, while the patron, or master, addressed us in French.

The whole crew were dressed in flannel shirts, the skirts of which

were belted by a leather strap over their trowsers, and when the

wind suddenly dashed the flannel aside, I saw they had long

knives concealed beneath it.

The patron of these fellows offered to aid us in lightening the

galliot and depositing the cargo on the key ; where, he said, there

was a hut in which he would guarantee the safety of our merchan-

dise until, at the full of the moon, wc could float the vessel from

the reef. Ho offered, moreover, to pilot us out of harm's way ;

and, for all his services in salvage, we were to pay him a thou-

sand dollars.

While the master was busy making terms, his companiona were

2


rummaging the galliot in order to ascertain our cargo and a.rma

ment. It was finally agreed by the captain and his petticoat

commodore, that if, by evening and the return of tide, our gal-

liot would not float, we would accept the wreckers' offer; and,

accordingly, I was ordered to inform them of the resolution.

As soon as I stated our assent, the patron, suddenly assum-

ed an air of deliberation, and insisted that the money should bo

paid in hard cash on the spot, and not by drafts on Havana, as

originally required. I thought the demand a significant one, and

hoped the joint partners would neither yield nor admit their

ability to do so; but, unfortunately, they assented at once. The

nod and wink I saw the patron immediately bestow on one of

his companions, satisfied me of the imprudence of the concession

and the justice of my suspicions.

The fishermen departed to try their luck on tne sea, pro-

mising to be back at sunset, on their way to the island. Wespent the day in fruitless efforts to relieve the galliot or to find

a channel, so that when the Spaniards returned in the afternoon

with a rather careless reiteration of their proposal, our captam,

with some eagerness, made his final arrangements for the cargo's

discharge eai'ly next morning. Our skipper had visited the keyin the course of the day, and finding the place of deposit appa-

rently safe, and every thing else seemingly honest, he was anx-

ious that the night might pass in order that the disembarkation

might begin.

The calm quiet of that tropic season soon wore away, and,

when I looked landward, at day-dawn, I perceived two strange

boats at anchor near the key. As this gave me some uneasiness,

I mentioned it to the -captain and his wife, but they laughed at

my suspicions. After an early meal we began to discharge our

heaviest cargo with the fishermen's aid, yet we made little pro-

gress towards completion by the afternoon. At sunset, accounts

were compared, and finding a considerable difference in favorof the wreckers, I was dispatched ashore to ascertain the error.

At the landing I was greeted by several new faces. I particu-

larly observed a Frenchman whom I had not noticed before. Headdressed me with a courteous offer of refreshments. His man-

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFHICAN SLAVER. 27

ners and language were evidently those of an educated person,

while his figure and physiognomy indicated aristocratic habits or

birth, yet his features and complexion bore the strong imprint

of that premature old age which always marks a dissipated ca-

reer.

After a delightful chat in my mother-tongue with the plea.sant

stranger, he invited me to spend the night on shore. I declined

politely, and, having rectified the cargo's error, was preparing to

re-embark, when the Frenchman once more approached and insist-

ed on my remaining. I again declined, asserting that duty for-

bade my absence. He then remarked that orders had been left

by my countryman the patron to detain me;but if I was so ob-

stinate as to go, / 7night probably regret it.

With a laugh, I stepped into my boat, and on reaching the

galliot, learned that our skipper had imprudently avowed the rich

nature of our cargo.

Before leaving the vessel that night, the 2^'^^'>'on took me

aside, and inquired whether I received the invitation to pass the

night on the key, and why I had not accepted it ? To my great

astonishment, he addressed me in pure Italian;and when I ex-

pressed gratitude for his offer, he beset me with questions about

my country, my parents, my age, my objects in life, and myprospects. Once or twice he threw in the ejaculation of,

"poor

boy ! poor boy !

" As he stepped over the taffrail to enter his

boat, I offered my hand, which he first attempted to take,—then

suddenly stopping, rejected the grasp, and, with an abrupt—

" No ! addio !" he spun away in his boat from the galliot's side.

I could not help putting these things together in my mind

during the glowing twilight. I felt as if walking in a cold

shadow;an unconquerable sense of impending danger oppressed

me. I tried to relieve myself by discussing the signs with the

captain, but the phlegmatic Hollander only scoffed at my sus-

picions, and bade me sleep off my nervousness.

When I set the first night watch, I took good care to place

every case containing valuables below, and to order the look-out

to call all hands at the first appearance or sound of a boat. Hadwe been provided with arms, I would have equipped the crew


with weapons of defence, but, unluckily, there was not on board

even a rusty firelock or sabre.

How wondrously calm was all nature that night ! Not a

breath of air, or a ripple on the water ! The sky was brilliant

with stars, as if the firjnament were strewn with silver dust.

The full moon, with its glowing disc, hung some fifteen or twentydep-rees above the horizon. The intense stillness weighed upon

my tired limbs and eyes, while I leaned with my elbows on the

taifrail, watching the roll of the vessel as she swung lazily from

side to side on the long and weary swell. Every body but the

watch had retired, and I, too, went to my state-room in hope of

burying my sorrows in sleep. But the calm night near the land

had so completely filled my berth with annoying insects, that I was

obliged to decamp and take refuge in the stay-sail netting, where,

wrapped in the cool canvas, I was at rest in quicker time than I

have taken to tell it.

Notwithstanding my nervous apprehension, a sleep more like

the torpor of lethargy than natural slumber, fell on me at once.

I neither stirred nor heard any thing till near two o'clock, when

a piercing shriek from the deck aroused me. The moon had set,

but there was light enough to show the decks abaft filled with

men, though I could distinguish neither their persons nor move-

ments. Cries of appeal, and moans as of wounded or dying,

constantly reached me. I roused myself as well and quickly as

I could from the oppression of my deathlike sleep, and tried to

shake off the nightmare. The effort assured me that it was

reality and not a dream In an instant, that presence of mind

which has seldom deserted me, suggested escape. I seized the

gasket, and dropping by aid of it as softly as I could in the

water, struck out for shore. It was time. My plunge into the

sea, notwithstanding its caution, had made some noise, and a

rough voice called in Spanish to return or I would be shot.

When I began to go to sea, I took pains to become a good

swimmer, and my acquired skill served well on this occasion.

As soon as the voice ceased from the deck, I lay still on the

Water until I saw a flash from the bow of the galliot, to which I


immediately made a complaisant bow by diving deeply. This

operation I repeated several times, till I was lost in the distant

darkness;nor can I pride myself much on my address in escap-

ing the musket balls, as I have since had my own aim similarly

eluded by many a harmless duck.

After swimming about ten minutes, I threw myself on myback to rest and " take a fresh departure." It was so dark that

I could not see the key, yet, as I still discerned the galliot's

masts relieved against the sky, I was enabled by that beacon to

steer my way landward. Naked, with the exception of trowsers,

I had but little difficulty in swimming, so that in less than half

an hour, I touched the key, and immediately sought concealment

in a thick growth of mangroves.

1 had not been five minutes in this dismal jungle, when such

a swarm of mosquitoes beset me, that I was forced to hurry to the

beach and plunge into the water. In this way was I tormented

the whole night. At dawn, I retreated once more to the bushes;

and climbing the highest tree I found,—whose altitude, however,

was not more than twelve feet above the sand,—I beheld, across

the calm sea, the dismantled hull of my late home, surrounded

by a crowd of boats, which were rapidly filling with plundered

merchandise. It was evident that we had fallen a prey to

pirates ; yet I could not imagine why / had been singled from

this scene of butchery, to receive the marks of anxious sympathythat were manifested by the imtroyi and his French companion on

the key. All the morning I continued in my comfortless position,

watching their movements,—occasionally refreshing my parched

lips by chewing the bitter berries of the thicket. Daylight, with

its heat, was as intolerable as night, with its venom. The tropical

sun and the glaring reflection from a waveless sea, poured through

the calm atmosphere upon my naked flesh, like boiling oil. Mythirst was intense. As the afternoon wore away, I ob.served sev-

eral boats tow the lightened hull of our galliot southeast of the

key till it disappeared behind a point of the island. Up to that

moment, my manhood had not forsaken me; but, as the last tim-

ber of my vessel was lost to sight, nature resumed its dominion.

Every hope of seeing my old companions was gone ;I was utterly


alone. If this narrative were designed to be a sentimental con-

fession, the reader might see unveiled the ghastly spectacle of a" troubled conscience," nor am I ashamed to say that no conso-

lation cheered my desolate heart, till I prayed to my Maker that

the loss of so many lives might not be imputed to the wilful

malice of a proud and stubborn nature.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 3'

CHAPTER IV.

So passed the day. As the sun sank in the west, I began to re-

flect about obtaining the rest for mind and body I so much

needed. My system was almost exhausted by want of food and

water, while the dreadful tragedy of the preceding night shat-

tered my nerves far more than they ever suflFered amid the try-

ing scenes I have passed through since. It was my first adven-

ture of peril and of blood;and my soul shrank with the natural

recoil that virtue experiences in its earliest encounter with fla-

grant crime.

In order to escape the incessant torment of insects, I had

just determined to bury my naked body in the sand, and to

cover my head with the only garment I possessed, when I heard

a noise in the neighboring bushes, and perceived a large and sav-

age dog rushing rapidly from side to side, with his nose to the

ground, evidently in search of game or prey. I could not mistake

the nature of his hunt. With the agility of a harlequin, I sprang

to my friendly perch just in time to save myself from his fangs.

The foiled and ferocious beast, yelling with rage, gave an alarm

which was quickly responded to by other dogs, three of which—followed by two armed men—promptly made their appearance

beneath my tree. The hunters were not surprised at finding me,

as, in truth, I was the game they sought. Ordering me down, I

was commanded to march slowly before them, and especially

warned to make no attempt at flight, as the bloodhound.s would

tear me to pieces on the spot. I told my guard that I should

of course manifest no such folly as to attempt au escape from

32 CAPTAm CANOT; OR,

caballeros like tliemselves,—upon a desolate sand key half a mile

wide,—

especially when my alternative refuge could only be found

among the fish of the sea. The self-possession and good humor

with which I replied, seemed somewhat to mollify the cross-

grained savages, and we soon approached a habitation, where I

was ordered to sit down until the whole party assembled. After

a while, I was invited to join them in their evening meal.

The piquant stew upon which we fed eff'^ctually loosened

their tongues, so that, in the course of conversation, I discovered

my pursuers had been in quest of me since early morning, thoughit was hardl}' believed I had either escaped the shot, or swam

fully a mile amid sharks during the darkness. Upon this, I ven-

tured to put some ordinary questions, but was quickly informed

that inquisitiveness was considered very unwholesome on the

sand keys about Cuba !

At sunset, the whole piratical community of the little isle was

assembled. It consisted of two parties, each headed by its respec-

tive chief Both gangs were apparently subject to the leadership

of the ranclio's proprietor : and in this man I recognized theâ-Iroii who inquired so minutely about my biography and prospects.

His companions addressed him either as " El senor patron" or" Don Rafael." I was surveyed very closely by the picturesque

gi'oup of bandits, who retired into the interior of the rancho^—

a hut made of planks and sails rescued from wrecks. Myguard or sentinel consisted of but a single vagabond, who amused

himself by whetting a long knife on a hone, and then trying its

sharpness on a single hair and then on his finger. Sometimes

the scoundrel made a face at me, and drew the back of his wea-

pon across his throat.

The conversation within, which I felt satisfied involved myfate, was a long one. I could distinctly overhear the murmuringroar of talk, although I could not distinguish words. One sen-

tence, however, did not escape me, and its signification proved

particularly interesting :—" Los inuertos^^'' said the French dandy,—" tw hahlayij''

—Dead men tell no tales !

It is hard to imagine a situation more trying for a young,

hearty, and hopeful man. I was half naked; my skin was ex-

TWENTY YEARS OB' AN AFRICAN SLaVER. 33

coriated by the sun, sand, and salt water; four bloodljounds were

at luy feet ready to fasten on my throat at the bidding of a

desperado ; a piratical sentry, knife in hand, kept watch over me.

while a jury of buccaneers discussed my fate within earshot

Dante's Inferno had hardly more torments.

The Ji/ibusfero conclave lasted quite an hour without reachinga conclusion. At length, after an unusual clamor, the patronRafael rushed from the rancJio with a horseman's pistol, and,

calling my name, whirled me behind him in his strong and irre-

sistible grasp. Then facing both bands, with a terrible impreca-

tion, he swore vengeance if they persisted in requiring the death

of IIIS NEPHEW !

At the mention of the word "nephew^'' every one paused

with a look of surprise, and drawing near the excited man with

expressions of interest, agreed to respect his new-found relative,

though they insisted I should swear never to disclose the occur-

rence of which I had been an unwilling witness. I compliedwith the condition unhesitatingly, and shook hands with everyone present except the sentry, of whom I shall have occasion to

speak hereafter.

It is astonishing what revulsions of manner, if not of feeling,

take place suddenly among the class of men with whom my lot

had now been cast. Ten minutes before, they were greedy for

my blood, not on account of personal malice, but from utter

recklessness of life whenever an individual interfered with their

personal hopes or tenure of existence. Each one of these out-

laws now vied with his companions in finding articles to cover mynakedness and make me comfortable. As soon as I was clothed,

supper was announced and I was given almost a seat of honor at

a table plentifully spread with fresh fish, sardines, olives, ham,

cheese, and an abundance of capital claret.

The chat naturally turned upon me, and some sly jokes were

uttered at the expense of Rafael, concerning the kinsman whohad suddenly sprung up like a mushroom out of this pool of

blood.

''CabaUcrosV interposed Rafael, passionately, "you seem

inclined to doubt my word. Perhaps you are no longer disposed2*


to regard me as your chief ? We have broken bread together

during four months;

we have shared the same dangers and

divided our spoils fairly : am I noiv to be charged to my face

with a lie ?" " Ha !

"said he, rising from the table and striding

through the apartment with violent gestures," who dares doubt

my word, and impute to me the meanness of a lie ? Are yedrunk? Can this wine have made you mad?" and seizing a

bottle, he dashed it to the ground, stamping w'th rage. Has the

blood of last night unsettled your nerves and made you deli-

rious ? Basta ! hasta I Let me not hear another word of doubt

as to this youth. The first who utters a syllable of incredulity

shall kill me on the spot or fall by my hand !

"

This sounds, I confess, very melo-dramatically, yet, myexperience has taught me that it is precisely a bold and dash-

ing tone of bravado, adopted at the right moment, which is

always most successful among such rufiians as surrounded mypreserver. The speech was delivered with such genuine vehe-

mence and resolution that no one could cjûestion his sincerity or

suppose him acting. But, as soon as he was done, the leader of

the other gang, who had been very unconcernedly smoking his

cigar, and apparently punctuating Don Rafael's oration with his

little puffs, advanced to my new uncle, and laying his hand on

his arm, said :—

"Amigo^ you take a joke too seriously. No one here certainly

desires to harm the boy or disbelieve you. Take my advice,—

calm yourself, light a cigarillo, drink a tumbler of claret, and

drop the subject."

But this process of pacification was too rapid for my excited

uncle. Men of his quality require to be let down gradually from

their wrath, for I have frequently noticed that when their object

is too easily gained, they interpose obstacles and start new sub-

jects of controversy, so that the most amiable and yielding tem-

per may at last become inflamed to passionate resistance."No, caballeros !

" exclaimed Don Rafael," I will neither

light a cigart/lo, drink claret, calm myself, nor accept satisfaction

for this insult, short of the self-condemnation you will all expe-rience for a mean suspicion, when I prove the truth of my asser-


tions about this boy. A doubted man has no business at tbo

head of such fellows as you arc. Begone out of my hearing,

Theodore," continued he, pointing to the canvas door,"begone

till I convince these people that I am your uncle !

"

As soon as I was out of the chamber, I afterwards learned,

that llafael announced my name, place of birth, and parentage to

the wreckers, and desired the other patrofi, Mesclet, who spoke

Italian, to follow and interrogate me as to his accuracy.

Mesclet performed the service in a kind manner, opening the

interview by asking the names of my father and mother, and

then demanding how many uncles I had on ni}' mother's side ?

My replies appeared satisfactory." Was one of your uncles a navy officer ?

"inquired Mesclet.

" and where is he at present ?" The only uncle I had in the

navy, I declared, had long been absent from his family. Butonce in my life had I seen him, and that was while on his wayto Marseilles, in 1815, to embark for the Spanish main; since

then no intelligence of the wanderer had reached my ears. HadI been a French scholar at that time, my adventures of consan-

guinity at Ferrol and on this key might well have brought Mo-

Here's satire to my mind :

"De moi je commence k douter tout dc ton;

Pourtant, quand je me tAte et que je me rapelle,

H me semble que je suis moi!"

Mesclet's report gave perfect satisfaction to the scoffers, and

the mysterious drama at once established me in a position I

could not have attained even by desperate services to the fdihus-teros. A bumper, all round, closed the night ;

and each slunk

off to his cot or blanket beneath a mosquito bar, while the blood-

hounds were chained at the door to do double duty as sentinels

and body guard.I hope there are few who will deny me the justice to believe

that when I stretched my limbs on the hard couch assigned methat night, I remembered my God in heaven, and my home in

Tuscany. It was the first night that an ingenuous youth had

spent among outcasts, whose hands were still reeking with the


blood, of his companions. At that period of manhood we ar«

grateful for the mere boon of life. It is pleasant to live, to

breatte, to have one's being, on this glorious earth, even thoughthat life may be cast among felons. There is still ^future before

us;and Hope, the bright goddess of health and enthusiasm, in-

spires our nerves -with energy to conquer our present ills.

I threw myself down thankfully, but I could not rest. Sore

and tired as I was, I could not compose my mind to sleep. Theconduct of Rafael surprised me. I could not imagine how he

became familiar with my biography, nor could I identify his per-

sonal appearance with my uncle who went so long before to South

America. A thousand fancies jumbled themselves in my brain,

and, in their midst, I fell into slumber. Yet my self-oblivion

was broken and short. My pulse beat wildly, but my skin did

not indicate the heat of fever. The tragedy of the galliot was

reacted before me. Phantoms of the butchered wife and men,

streaming with blood, stood beside my bed, while a chorus of

devils, in the garb ef sailors, shouted that / was the cause of

the galliot's loss, and of their murder. Then the wretched

woman would hang round my neck, and crawl on my breast, be-

sprinkling me with gore that spouted from her eyeless sockets,

imploring me to save her;

—till, shrieking and panting, I awoke

from the horrible nightmare. Such were the dreams that

haunted my pillow nearlj^ all the time I was forced to remain

with these desperadoes.

I thanked God that the night of the tropics was so brief.

The first glimmer of light found me up, and as soon as I could

find a companion to control the hounds, I ran to the sea for re-

freshment by a glorious surf-bath. I was on a miserable sand-

bar, whose surface was hardly covered with soil; yet, in that

prolific land of rain and sunshine, nature seems only to requirethe slightest footing to assert her magnificent power of vegeta-tion. In spots, along the arid island, were the most beautiful

groves of abundant undergrowth, matted with broad-leaved vinos,

while, within their shadow, the fresh herbage sprang up, sparklingwith morning dew. In those climates, the blaze of noon is a


season of oppressive languor, but morning and evening, with their

dawn and twilight,—their lengthened shadows and declining sun,

are draughts of beauty that have often intoxicated less enthusias-

tic tempers than mine. The bath, the breeze, the renewed nature,

aroused and restored a degree of tone to my shattered nerves,

so that when I reached the lancho, I was ready for any duty that

might be imposed. The twin gangs had gone off in their boats

soon after daylight, with saws and axes;but Rafael left orders

with my brutal sentry that I should assist him in preparing

breakfast, which was to be ready by eleven o'clock.

I never knew the real patronymic of this fellow, who was a

Spaniard, and passed among us by the nickname of Gallego.

Gallego possessed a good figure,—

symmetrical and strong, while

it was lithe and active. But his head and face were the most

repulsive I ever encountered. The fellow was not absolutely

ugly, so far as mere contour of features was concerned;but

there was so dropsical a bloat in his cheeks, such a stagnantsallowness in his complexion, such a watching scowl in his eyes,

such a drawling sullenuess of speech, such sensuality in the turn

of his resolute lips, that I trembled to know he was to be mydaily companion. His dress and skin denoted slovenly habits,

while a rude and growling voice gave token of the bitter heart

that kept the enginery of the brute in motion.

With this wretch for chef de cuisiiie, I was exalted to the

post of '• cook's mate."

I found that a fire had been already kindled beneath some

dwarf trees, and that a kettle was set over it to boil. Gallegobeckoned me to follow him into a thicket some distance from the

rancho^ where, beneath the protection of a large tarpaulin, wefound the Jihiiustcro''s pantry amply provided with butter, onions,

spices, salt-fish, bacon, lard, rice, coffee, wines, and all the requi-

sites of comfortable living. In the corners, strewn at random on

the ground, I observed spy-glasses, compasses, sea-charts, books,and a quantity of choice cabin-furniture. We obtained a suffi-

ciency of water for cookery and drinking from holes dug in the

sand, and we managed to cool the beverage by suspending it in

38 CAPTAIN CANOT

a draft of air in porous vessels, -wiiich are known throughout the

West Indies by the mischievous name of "monkeys." Our

copious thickets supplied us with fuel, nor were we without a

small, rough garden, in which the gang cultivated peppers, toma-

toes and mint. The premises being reviewed, I returned with

my ill-favored guard to take a lesson in piratical cookery.

It is astonishing how well these wandering vagabonds know

how to toss up a savory mess, and how admirably they under-

stand its enjoyment. A tickled palate is one of the great objects

of their mere animal existence, and they are generally preparedwith a mate who might pass muster in a second-rate restaurant.

The dijeuner we served of codfish stewed in claret, snowy and

granulated rice, delicious tomatoes and fried ham, was irreproach-

able. Coffee had been drunk at day dawn ;so that my comrades

contented themselves during the meal with liberal potations of

claret, while they finished the morning with brandy and cigars.

By two o'clock the breakfast was over, and most of the gorged

scamps had retired for a siesta during the sweltering heat. Afew of the toughest took muskets and went to the beach to shoot

gulls or sharks. Gallego and myself were dispatched to our

grove-kitchen to scullionize our utensils;and. finally, being the

youngest, I was intrusted with the honorable duty of feeding the

blood-hounds.

As soon as my duties were over, I was preparing to follow

the siesta-example of my betters, when I met Don Rafael comingout of the door, and, without a word, was beckoned to follow to-

wards the interior of the island. When we reached a solitary

spot, two or three hundred yards from the rancho, Rafael drew

me down beside him in the shade of a tree, and said gently with

a smile; that he supposed I was at least surprised by the events

of the last four days. I must confess that I saw little for any

thing else but astonishment in them, and I took the liberty to

concede that fact to the Don."Well," continued he,

" I have brought you here to explain

a part of the mystery, and especially to let you understand whyit was that I passed myself off last night as your imcle, in order

to save your life. I was obliged to do it, boy; and, voto a Dios!


1 would Lave fought i\xc junta,—bloodhounds and all,

—before

they should have harmed a limb of your body !

"

Don Rafael explained that as soon as he caught a glimpse of

my face when he boarded the galliot on the morning of our dis-

aster, he recognized the lineaments of an old companion in

arms. The resemblance caused him to address me as partic-

ularly as ne had done on the night of the piracy, the conse-

quence of which was that his suspicions ripened into certainty.

If I were writing the story of Don Rafael's life, instead of

my own, I might give an interesting and instructive narrative,

which showed,—as he alleged,

—how those potent controllers of

outlaws,—"

circumstances,"—bad changed him from a very re-

spectable soldier of fortune into a genuine buccaneer. He as-

serted that my uncle had been his schoolmate and professional

companion in the old world. When the war of South American

independence demanded the aid of certain Dugald Dalgettys to

help its fortune, Don Rafael and nay uncle had lent the revolu-

tionists of Mexico their swords, for which they were repaid in

the coin that "patriots

"commonly receive for such amiable

self-sacrifice. Republics are proverbially ungrateful, and Mex-

ico, alas ! was a republic.

After many a buffet of fortune, my poor uncle, it seems, per-

ished in a duel at which Don Rafael performed the professional

part of "his friend." My relation died, of course, like a "man

of honor," and soon after, Don Rafael, himself, fell a victim to

the " circumstances"

which, in the end, enabled him to slaugh-

ter my shipmates and save my life.

I must admit that I use this flippant tone with a twinge of

sorrow, for I think I perceived certain spasms of conscience dur-

ing our interview, which proved that, among the lees of that

withered heart, there were some rich drops of manhood ready to

mantle his cheek with shame at our surroundings. Indeed, as

he disclosed his story, he exhibited several outbursts of passion-

ate agony which satisfied me that if Don Rafael were in Paris^

Don Rafael would have been a most respectable bourgeois ;

while, doubtless, there were many estimable citizens at that mo-

ment in Paris, who would have given up their shops in order to


become Don Rafaels in Cuba ! Such is life—and

stances !

"

Our chat wasted a large portion of the afternoon. It was

terminated by a counsel from my friend to be wary in my deport*

ment, and a direction to console myself with the idea that he did

not mean I should tarry long upon the island.

" You see,'" said he," that I do not lack force of eye, voice,

and personal influence over these ruiEf.ns; yet I do not know

that I can always serve or save a friend, so your fate hangs verymuch on your circumspection. Men in our situation are Ishmael-

ites. Our hands are not only against all, and all against us, but

we do not know the minute when we may be all against each

other. The power of habitual control may do much for a

leader among such men;but such an one must neither quail

nor deceive. Therefore, beware I Let none of your actions

mar my projects. Let them never, suspect the truth of our

consanguinity. Call me " uncle ;" and in my mouth you shall

always be " Theodore." Ask no questions ;be civil, cheerful,

and serviceable about the rancho ; never establish an intimacy,

confidence, or friendship with any one of the band;

stifle your

feelings and your tears if you ever find them rising to your lips

or eyes ;talk as little as you possibly can

;avoid that smooth-

tongued Frenchman; keep away from our revels, and refrain

entirely from wine.- " I charge you to be specially watchful of Gallego, the cook.

He is our man of dirty work,—a shameless coward, though re-

vengeful as a cat. If it shall ever happen that you come in col-

lision with him, strike first and well ; no one cares for him;

even his death will make no stir. Take this cucMllo,—it is

sharp and reliable; keep it near you day and night ; and, in

sflfdefence, do not hesitate to make good use of it. In a few

days, I may say more to you ;until then,—corragio figlio, d

addio !"

We returned to the rancho by different paths.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. i\

CHAPTER V.

Tin: life of men under the ban of society, on a desolate

sand key, whose only visitors are land-crabs and sea-gulls, is

a dull and dreary affair. The genuine pirate, properly equippedfor a desperate lot, who has his swift keel beneath him and is

wafted wheresoever he lists on canvas wings, encounters, it is

true, an existence of peril ; yet there is something exhilarating

and romantic in his- dashing career of incessant peril : he is ever

on the wing, and ever amid novelty ;there is something about

his life that smacks of genuine warfare, and his existence becomes

as much more respectable as the old-fashioned highwayman on

his mettlesome steed was superior to the sneaking footpad, who

leaped from behind a thicket and bade the unarmed pedestrian

stand and deliver. But the wrecker-pirate takes his victim at a

disadvantage, for he is not a genuine freebooter of the sea. Heshuns an able foe and strikes the crippled. Like the shark aud

the eagle, he delights to prey on the carcass, rather than to strike

the living quarry.

The companionship into which misfortune had thrown me was

precisely of this character, and I gladly confess that I was never

tempted for a moment to bind up my fate with the sorry gang.

I confided, it is true, in Rafael's promise to liberate me; yet I

never abandoned the hope of escape by my own tact and energy.

Meanwhile, I became heartily tired of my scullion duties as

the subordinate of Gallego. Finding one day a chest of carpen-


ters' tools among the rubbish, I busied myself in making a rudder for one of the boats, and so well did I succeed, that when

my companions returned to breakfast from their daily"

fishing,'"

my mechanical skill was lauded to such a degree that Rafael

converted the general enthusiasm to my advantage by separatingme from the cook. I was raised to the head of our " naval

bureau" as boatbuilder in chief. Indeed, it was admitted on

all hands that I was abler with the adze than the ladle and

spoiled fewer boards than broths.

A few days passed, during which I learned that our unfor-

tunate galliot was gradually emptied'

and destro^'ed. This

was the usual morning occupation of the whole gang until

the enterprise ended. When the job was over Don Rafael told

me that he was about to depart hurriedly on business with the

whole company, to the main-land of Cuba, so that, during his

absence, the island and its property would be left in custody of

Gallego, myself, and the bloodhounds. He specially chai-ged the

cook to keep sober, and to give a good account of himself at the

end oifive days^ which would terminate his absence.

But no sooner was the patron away, than the lazy scamp neg-

lected his duties, skulked all day among the bushes, and refused

even to furnish my food or supply the dogs. Of course, I speed-

ily attended to the welfare of myself and the animals; but, at

night, the surly Galician came home, prepared his own supper,

drank till he was completely drunk, and retired without uttering

a word.

I was glad that he yielded to the temptation of liquor, as I

hoped he would thereby become incapable of harming me during

the watches of the night, if weariness compelled me to .«leep.

He was a malignant wretch, and his taciturnity and ill-will ap-

peared so ominous now that I was left utterly alone, that I

resolved, if possible, to keep awake, and not to trust to luck or

liquor. The galliot's tragedy and anxiety stood me in stead, so

that I did not close my eyes in sleep the whole of that dreary

vigil. About midnight, Gallego stealthily approached my cot,

and pausing a moment to assure himself that I was in the pro-

found repose which I admirable feigned, he turned on tip-toe to

TWENTY YEAKS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 43

the door of o\ir cabin, and disappeared with a large bundle in his

hand. He did not return until near day dawn; and, next night,

the same act was exactly repeated.

The mysterious suUenncss of this vagabond not only alarmed,

but increased ray nervousness, foi' I can assure the reader that,

on a desolate island, without a companion but a single outcast,

one would rather hear the sound of that wretch's voice thau be

doomed to the silence of such inhuman solitude. During the

day he kept entirely aloof,—

generally at sea fishing,—

affording

mo time for a long siesta in a nook near the shore, penetrated

by a thorny path, which Gallego could not have traced without

hounds. On the fourth night, when the pirate left our hut for

his accustomed excursion, I resolved to follow;and taking a

pistol with renewed priming, I pursued his steps at a safe dis-

tance, till I saw him enter a thick shrubbery, in which be was

lost. I marked the spot and returned to the cabin. Next

morning, after coffee, Gallego departed in his canoe to fish. I

watched him anxiously from the beach until he anchored about

two miles from the reef, and then calling the dogs, retraced my

way to the thicket. The hounds were of great service, for,

having placed them on the track, they instantly traced the path

of the surly scoundrel.

After some trouble in passing the dense copse of underwood,

I entered a large patch of naked sand, broken by heaps of stones,

which appeared to cover graves. One heap bore the form of a

cross, and was probably the sepulchre of a wrecker. I stopped

awhile and rejected as to further explorations. On entering this

arid graveyard, I observed a number of land-crabs scamper away ;

but, £ffter awhile, when I sat down in a corner and became per-

fectly quiet, I noticed that the army returned to the field and

introduced themselves into all the heaps of stones or graves save

one. This struck me as singular ; for, when people are so hope-

lessly alone as I was, they become minute observers, and derive

infinite happiness from the consideration of the merest trifles.

Accordingly, I ventured close to the abandoned heap, and found

at once that the neighboring sand had been freshly smoothed,

I was on Gallego's track ! In dread of detection, I stealthily

44 CAPTAIN canot; OA,

climbed a tree, and, screening myself behind the foliage, peered

out towards the sea till I beheld the cook at work beyond the

reef. :N[y musket and pistols were again examined and found in

order. With these precautions, I began to remove the stones,

taking care to mark their relative positions so that I might re-

place them exactly ; and, in about ten minutes work at excava-

tion, I came upon two barrels, one of which was filled with bun-

dles of silk, linens, and handkerchiefs, while the other contained

a chronometer, several pieces of valuable lace, and a beautifully

bound, gilt,and ornamented Bible. One bundle, tied in a Madras

handkerchief, particularly attracted my attention, for I thought

I recognized the covering. Within it I found a number of trin-

kets belonging to the wife of my Dutch captain, and a large hair

^pin, set with diamonds, which I remember she wore the last day

of her life. Had this wretch torn it from her head, as he im-

brued his hands in her blood on that terrible night ? The pain-

ful revelation brought ali before me once more with appalling

force. I shuddered and became sick. Yet, I had no time for

maudlin dalliance with my feelings. Replacing every thing with

precision, and smoothing the sand once more with my flannel

shirt, I returned to the rancho, where I indulged in the boyish

but honest outburst of nature which I could no longer restrain.

I was not then—and, thank God, I am not now—a stranger to

tears ! To the world, the human heart and the human eye, like

the coral isle of the Atlantic, may be parched and withered;

yet, beneath the seared and arid surface, the living water still

flows and gushes, when the rock and. the heart alik» are stricken !

Just before sunset of this day, the deep baying of our hounds

gave notice of approaching strangers ; and, soon after, four boats

appeared in the cove. The two foremost belonged to Don Rafael

and his crew, while the others were filled with strangers whose

appearance was that of landsmen rather than mariners. As

Rafael received them on the beach, he introduced them to me as

his especial pets, the " amphibious jews,"

Our delicious supper of that night was augmented by a fine

Btore of beef, pork and fowls, brought from shore. I lingered at

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN &LAVER. 45

table as long as the company maintained a decent sobriety, and

learned tliat these saltwater Hebrews were, in truth, speculators

from Cardenas, who accompanied Rafael in the guise of fisher-

men, to purchase the plundered cargo of my galliot.

During his visit to Cuba, Don Rafael was apprised that the

Cuban authorities were about sending an Inspector among the

islands off the coast, and accordingly took precaution to furnish

himself in advance with a regular "fishing license." All hands

were forthwith set to work to make our key and rancho conform

to this calling, and, in a few days, the canvas roof of our hut

was replaced by a thatch of leaves, while every dangerous article

or implement was concealed in the thicket of a labyrinthine creek.

In fact, our piscatory character could not be doubted. In our

persons and occupation, we looked as innocent and rustic as a

pic-uic party on a summer bivouac for fresh air and salt bathing.

^ Nor was the transformation less real in regard to our daily tasks.

We became, in reality, most industrious fishermen;so that we

had more than a thousand of the finny tribe piled up and dried,

when the hounds signalled the arrival of the expected officials.

Breakfast was on the table when they landed, but it was the

banyan meal of humble men, whose nets were never filled with

aught but the scaly products of the sea. Our inspector was

regaled with a scant fish-feast, and allowed to digest it over the

genuine license. Rafael complained sadly of hard times and

poverty ;

—in fact, the drama of humility was played to perfec-

tion, and, finally, the functionary signed our license, with a cer-

tificate of our Ryalty, and pocketed a moderate "gratification

oi Jive ounces !

Six long, hot, and wretched weeks passed over my head before

any striking occurrence relieved the monotony of my life.

During the whole of this period, our fishing adventure was

Steadily pursued, when information was mysteriously brought to

the key that a richly-laden French vessel had run ashore on

the Cayo Verde, an islet some forty miles cast of the Cruz del

Padre. That afternoon, both of our large boats were filled

with armed men, and, as they departed with every wrecker


aboard, I alone was left on the islet to guard our property witL

the dogs.

The thought and hope of escape both swelled in my breast

as I saw the hulls dwindle to a dot and disappear behind the

horizon. In a moment, my plan was conceived and perfected.

The sea was perfectly smooth, and I was expert in the use of oars.

That very night I launched our canoe,—the only vessel left in

the cove,—and placing the sail, scullers, and grappling-hook

within it, returned to the rancho for clothing. As it was dark,

I lighted a candle, when, on looking into the clothes-chest

beneath my bed, I found inscribed on the lid, in fresh chalk-

marks, the words " Patience ! wait !

"

This discovery made me pause in my preparations. Was it

the warning—as it was certainly the handwriting

—of Eafael ?

Had he purposely and honorably left me alone, in order to escape

this scene of blood ? Did he anticipate my effort to fly, and en-

deavor to save me from the double risk of crossing to the main-

land, and of future provision for my comfort ? I could not doubt

its being the work of my friend; and, whether it was superstition

or prudence, I cannot say, but I resolved, unhesitatingly, to

abandon a scheme in regard to which I hesitated. Instead,

therefore, of attempting to pass the strait between the key and

Cuba, I went to bed, and slept more comfortably in my utter

abandonment than I had done since I was on the island.

Next day, at noon, I descried a small pilot-boat sailing inside

the reef, with all the confidence of a perfect master of the chan-

nel. Two persons speedily landed, with provisions from the

mainland, and stated that, on his last visit to Cuba, Don Rafael

engaged them to take me to Havana. This, however, was to be

done with much caution, inasmuch as his men would not assent

to my departure until they had compromised my life with theirs

by some act of desperate guilt. ,The pilots declined taking me

then without my guardian's assent;

—and, in truth, so fully was

I convinced of his intention to liberate me in the best and speed-

iest way, that I made up my mind to abide where I was till he

returned.

For three days more I was doomed to solitude. On the

I


fourth, the boats came back, with the pilot's cutter, and I quickly

saw that a serious encounter had taken place. The pilot-boat

appeared to be deeply laden. Next day, she was taken to the

mazes of the winding and wooded creek, where, I learned, the

booty was disembarked and hidden. While the party had gone

to complete this portion of their enterprise, the Frenchman, who

was wounded in the head and remained behind, took that oppor-

tunity to enlighten me on passing events. When the wreckers

reached Cayo Verde, they found the French vessel already taken

possession of by" fishermen " of that quarter. Anticipated in

their dirty work, our comrades were in no mood to be sociable

with the fortunate party. An affray was the natural result, in

which knives had been freely used, while Mesclet himself had

been rescued by Rafael, pistol in hand, after receiving the violent

blow on his head from which he was now suffering. Having se-

cured a retreat to their boats, they were just beginning to think

of a rapid departure, when the friendly pilot-boat hove in sight.

So fortunate a reinforcement renerved our gang. A plan of

united action was quickly concerted. The French vessel was

again boarded and carried. Two of the opposite party were

slain in the onslaught; and, finally, a rich remnant of the cargo

was seized, though the greater part of the valuables had, no

doubt, been previously dispatched ashore by the earlier band of

desperadoes." Thank God !

" added the narrator," we have now the boat

and the assistance of Bachicha, who is as brave as Rafael : with

his " Baltimore clipper^'' we shall conduct our affairs on a granderscale than heretofore. Sacre-bleu ! we may now cruise under the

Columbian flag, and rob Peter to pay Paul !

"

In fact, the '*

clipper" had brought down an ample store of

ammunition, under the innocent name of "provisions," while she

carried in her bowels a long six, which she was ready to mount

amid.ships at a moment's notice.

But poor Mesclet did not live to enjoy the fruits of the larger

piracy, which he hoped to carry on in a more elegant way with

Bachicha. The I'oue could not be restrained from the favorite

beverages of his beautiful France. His wound soon mastered

48 CAPTAIN CANOT

him; and, in a month, all that was mortal of this gallant Gaul,

who, in earlier years, had figured in the best saloons of his coun-

try, rested among sand-graves of a Cuban key." Ah !

"growled Gallego, as they came home from his burial,

" there is one less to share our earnings ; and, what is better,

claret and brandy will be more plentiful now that this sponge is

under the sand !

"

In a few days, the boats were laden with fish for the main-

land, in order to cover the real object of our patron s visit to

Cuba, which was to dispose of the booty. At his departure, he

repeated the cherished promise of liberty, and privately hinted

that I had better continue fishing on good terms with Senor Gal-

lego.

It required some time to repair the nets, for they had been

rather neglected during our late fishing, so that it was not, in

fact, until Rafael had been three days gone that I took the canoe

with Gallego, and dropped anchor outside the reef, to take break-

fast before beginning our labor.

We had hardly begun a frugal meal when, suddenly, a large

schooner shot from behind a bend of the island, and steered

in our direction. As the surly Spaniard never spoke, I had

become accustomed to be equally silent. Unexpectedly, how-

ever, he gave a scowling glance from beneath his shaggy brows

at the vessel, and exclaimed with unusual energy :

" A Columbian

privateer !

"

" We had best up anchor, and get inside the reef," continued

he," or our sport will be spoiled for the day."" Pshaw !

" returned I," she's not making for us, and, even

if she were, I wouldn't be such a coward as to run !

"Indeed,

I had heard so much of " Columbian privateers" and the patriot

service, that I rather longed to be captured, that I might try myhand at lawful war and glory. The impulse was sudden and

silly.

Still Gallego insisted on retreating ; until, at length, we got

into an angry controversy, which the cook, who was in the bow

of the boat, attempted to end by cutting the anchor-rope. As

i


he was drawing his knife to execute this purpose, I swiftly lifted

an oar, and, with a single blow, laid him senseless in the bottom

of the canoe. By this time the schooner was within pistol-shot ;

and, as she passed with a three-knot breeze, the captain, who had

witnessed the scene, threw a grappling-iron into our skiflF, and

taking us in tow, dragged the boat from its moorings.

As soon as we got into deeper water, I was ordered on deck,

while Gallego, still quite insensible, was hoisted carefully on

board. I told the truth as to our dispute, reserving, however,

the important fact that I had been originally urged into the quar-

rel by my anxiety"

to ship" on board a privateer.

" I want a pilot for Key West," said the master, hurriedly,*' and I have no time to trifle with your stupid quarrels. Can

either* of you perform this service ?"

By this time Gallego had been somewhat roused from his

stupor, and pointing feebly towards me, uttered a languid :—

"Yes, and an excellent one."

Mistaking the word "pilote,''^

which in Spanish signifies"navigator," the French captain, who spoke the Castilian very

badly, translated it into the more limited meaning attached to

that peculiar profession, one of whose ministers he was anxious

to secure.

" Bon !"

said the master,"put the other fellow back into

his skiff, and make sail at once under charge of this youngster."

I remonstrated, protested, declaimed, swore, that I knew no-

thing of Key West and its approaches ;but all my efforts were

vain. I was a pilot in spite of myself.

The malicious cook enjoyed the joke of which I had so has-

tily become the victim. As they lowered him again into the

boat, he jeered at my incredulity, and in ten minutes was towed

to the edge of the reef, where the scamp was turned adrift to

make for the isiand.

When the schooner was once more under full sail, I was or-

dered to give the course for Key West. I at once informed the

captain, whose name I understood to be Lamin6, that he really

labored under a mistake in translating the Spanish word pilote

into port guide, and assured him that Gallego had been prompted


by a double desire to get rid of him as well as me by fostering

his pernicious error. I acknowledged that I was a "pilot,'''' or

"navigator," though not a ''

practical'' or harbor-pilot; yet I

urged that I could not, without absolute foolhardiness, undertake

to conduct his schooner into a port of which I was utterly igno-

rant, and had never visited. Hereupon the first lieutenant or

mate interposed. This fellow was a short, stout-built person of

thirty-five, with reddish whiskers and hair, a long-projecting un-

der-jaw, and eye-teeth that jutted out like tusks. To add to his

ugliness, he was sadly pitted by small-pox, and waddled about on

short duck legs, which were altogether out of proportion to his

long body, immense arms, and broad, massive shoulders. I do

not remember a more vulgarly repulsive person than this pri-

vateering lieutenant. •

" He is a liar, Captain Lamine, and only wants to extort

money for his services," interjected the brute. " Leave him to

me, sir;

I'll find a way to refresh his memory of Key West that

will open the bottom of the gulf to his eyes as clearly as the

pathway to his piratical hut on the sand-key ! To the helm,

sir—to the helm !

"

What possible object or result could I gain by resistance

amid the motley assemblage that surrounded me on the deck of

the " Cara-bobo ?" She was a craft of about 200 tons

; and,

with her crew of seventy-five, composed of the scourings of all

nations, castes, and colors, bore a commission from the author-

ities of Garthagena to burn, sink and destroy all Spanish prop-

erty she was strong enough to capture. Lamine was born in

the isle of France, while Lasquetti, the lieutenant, was a

Creole of Pensacola. The latter spoke French and Spanish quite

well, but very little English ;while both master and mate were

almost entirely ignorant of navigation, having intrusted that task

to the third lieutenant, who was then ill with yellow fever. The

second lieutenant was absent on board a prize.

Thus forced to take charge of a privateer without a moment's

warning, I submitted with the best grace, and, calling for charts

and instruments, I shaped my way for the destined port. All

day we steered west-north-west, but at sunset, as we had run


along smartly, I ordered the schooner to be " laid to"

for the

night. The wind and weather were both charmingly fair, and

objections were of course made to my command. But, as the

most difficult part of our navigation was to be encountered during

the night, if I kept on my course, I resolved to persist to the

last in my resolution, and I was fortunate enough to carry mypoint.

'• D—n you," said Lasquetti, as the vessel was brought to the

wind and made snug for the night," d—n you. Master Teodore;

this layingto shall give you no rest, at least, if you thought to

dodge work, and get into a hammock by means of it ! You shall

march the deck all night to sec that we don't drift on a reef, if

I have to sit up, or stand up till day-dawn to watch you !

"

Obedience, alas ! had been the order of the day with me for

a long while;so I promenaded the leo quarter till nearly mid-

night, when, utterly exhausted by fatigue, I sat down ou a long

brass chaser, and almost instantly fell asleep.

I know not how long I rested, but a tremendous shock

knocked me from the cannon and laid me flat ou the deck, bleed-

ing from mouth, nose and ears. Lasquctti stood beside me,

cigar in hand, laughing immoderately, blaspheming like a demon,

and kicking me in the ribs with his rough wet-weather boots.

He had detected me asleep, and touched off the gun with his

havanna !

The explosion aroused all hands, and brought the commander

ou deck. My blood flowed, but it did not pour fast enough to

relieve my agonizing rage. As soon as I recovered conscious-

ness, I seized the first heavy implement I could grasp, and rushed

at my aggressor, whose skull was saved from the blow by de-

scending beneath the combings of the hatchway, which, the in-

stant after, were shivered by the descent of my heavy weapon.

Lamine was a man of some sensibility, and, though selfish, as

usual with- his set, could not avoid at once re])rimanding Lasquetti

with uncommon severity in presence of his men.

That afternoon, I was fortunate enough, by the aid of a good

chart, and a sort of navigating instinct, to anchor the " Cara-

bobo "in the narrow harbor of Key West. When Lamine went


ashore, he ordered me not to leave the schooner, while sentries

were placed to prevent boats from boarding or even approachingus. Hardly was the master out of the vessel before two menseized me as I looked at the shore through a telescope. In the

twinkling of an eye, I was hurried below and double-ironed;nor

would I have received a morsel of food save bread and water

during our detention, had I not been secretly fed by some goodfellows from the forecastle, who stole to me after dark with the

remnant of their rations. This was the cowardly revenge of

Lasquetti.

On the third day, Lamine returned, bringing an American

pilot for the coast and islands. I was set at liberty as he was

seen a^Dproaching ;and when we got under way on another

cruise, I was commanded to do duty as sailing-master, which I

promptly refused with spirited indignation, until I received sat-

isfaction from the dastard lieutenant. But this fellow had taken

care to forestall me, by assuring Lamine that he never dreamed

of securing me until I was caught in the very act of escapingfrom the schooner !

During a week's cruise of indifferent success with these"patriots," I won the kind heart of the American pilot, who

heard the story of my late adventures with patience ; and, throughhis influence with the commander, my lot was mitigated, notwith-

standing my refusal to do duty. By this time, the third lieuten-

ant was restored to sufficient health to resume the deck. Hewas a native of Spain and a gallant sailor. Many an hour did

he pass beside me, recounting his adventures or listening to

mine, until I seemed to win his sympathy, and insure his assist-

ance for relief from this miserable tyranny.At length, the schooner's course was shaped for the Cruz del

Padre, while I was summoned to the cabin. I perceived at once

a singular change for the better in Monsieur Lamine's manner.

He requested me to be seated; pressed me to accept a tumbler

of claret; inquired about my health, and ended this harmonious

overture by saying, that if I would sign a document exoneratinghim from all charges of compulsory detention or ill-treatment, he


would pay mc two hundred dollars for ray service, and land me

again on the key.

I promptly saw that his object in replacing me on the island

was to prevent my complaints against his conduct from reaching

the cars of a tribunal in a neutral port ; and, accordingly, I

declined the proposition,—demanding, however, to be put on

board of any vessel we met, no matter what might be her nation-

ality. I sternly refused his money, and insisted that my only

desire was to be free from his brutal ofl&cer.

But Lamine was in power and I was not. In the end. I

discovered tliat worse consequences might befall me among these

ruffians, if I hesitated to take the recompense and sign the

paper. In fact, I began to be quite satisfied that, in reality, it

was an escajje to be freed from the privateer, even if I took

refuge once more among pirates !

So, after a good deal of claret and controversy had been

wasted. I signed the document and pocketed the cash.

As the first bars of saffron streaked the east next morning,

the reef of the Cruz del Padre hove in sight dead ahead. The

third lieutenant presented me at my departure with a set ot

charts, a spy-glass, a quadrant, and a large bag of clothes; while,

in the breast of a rich silk waistcoat, he concealed three ounces

and a silver watch, which he desired me to wear in honor of hiiu,

if ever I was fortunate enough to tread the streets of Havana.

Several of the white sailors also offered me useful garments ;and

a black fellow, who had charge of the boat in which I was sent

ashore, forced on me two sovereigns, which he considered a small

gratuity to " a countryman"

in distress. He hailed from Mar-

blehead, and protested that he knew me in Salem when I was a

lad.

As the boat approached the rancho's cove, I perceived every

body under arms, and heard Don Rafael command my boatmen,

in a loud, imperious voice, to begone, or ho would fire. Standing

on the thwarts of the boat, I ordered the oarsmen to back water,

and leaping into the sea, waist-deep, struggled alone to the beach,

calling" mi tio ! mi tio !

"—" wy v.ncle I Don Rafael !"—who,

recognizing ray voice and gestures, promptly rushed forward to


embrace me. Our boat was then allowed to approach the land

iDg and disburtben itself of the gifts. I thought it best to

request my sable ally from Marblehead to narrate, in as good

Spanish or lingua-franca as he could press into his service, the

whole story of my capture and the conduct of Gallego. This

being done, the boat and its crew were disjâtched aboard with a

multitude of Spanish courtesies and the substantial gift of some

Chateau. Margaux.After an early supper, I became the lion of the evening, and

was requested to give a narrative of my cruise in the "patriot

service." I noticed that some of the gang looked on me askance

with an incredulous air, while others amused themselves bv

smoking and spitting in a very contemptuous way whenever I

reached what I conceived to be a thrilling portion of my storyAt its conclusion, I arose and deposited in the hands of DonRafael my gifts of two hundred dollars and the two sovereigns.

This evidence of reciprocity seemed to restore the good temperof my impatient hearers, so that, by the time the ^>)o^;'o?j went

round the circle, giving each man his share of my earnings,—not

uven omitting Gallego,—my credit was almost restored among

the gang." As for these two pieces of gold, these charts, instruments

and clothes," said Don Rafael,"they are the property of the

youth, and I am sure none of you are mean enough to divide

them. The money was another thing. That was his earning, as

the '

fishing revenue '

is ours;and as he is entitled to a share

of what ive gain, we are entitled to participate in whatever he

wins. Yet, amigos, this is not all. My nephew, caballcros^ has

been accused, by one of this party, during his absence, of being

not only a contemptible thief, but a traitor and coward. Now,as these are three '

blasphemous vituperations' which are not to

be found under any head in my prayer-book, and never were

chargeable on the blood of our family, I insist on immediate jus-

tice to my kinsman. Let that cowardly scoundrel repeat and

vrove his accusation of Teodore, face to face ! You, senores,

shall stand judges. Every thing shall be fair. To-night, myboy shall be found guilty or purged of the baseness imputed to


him; and, moreover, I apprise you now, that if he is innocent, I

shall to-morrow restore him to liberty. His voluntary return

was a voucher of honesty ;and I doubt whether there is a clever

man among you who does not agree with me. Stand forth, Gal-

lego, and charge this youth again with the infamy you heaped on

him while he was away."But the sullen wretch bowed his head, with a hang-dog look,

and rolled his black and bushy skull slowly from side to side,

with an air of bullying defiance. Still he remained perfectly

silent.

" Stand forth, Gallego, once more, I say !

" shouted Don

Rafael, stamping with fury and foaming at the mouth;

" stand

forth, imp of the devil, and make good your charge, or I'll trice

you up to these rafters by your thumbs, and lash you with a cow-

hide till 3'our stretched skin peels off in ribbons !

"

The tlu-eat restored Gallego's voice;but he could only say

that there was no use in repeating the charges, because the case

was prejudged, and all feared Don Rafael and his parasite to

such a degree that it was impossible to treat him with justice."Yet, look ye, senores, if I can't talk, I can fight. If Don Rafael

is ready to meet me, knife in hand, in support of my cause, why,all I have to say is, that I am ready for him and his bastard

to boot !

"

In a moment, Rafael's knife was out of his belt, and the two

sprang forward in a death-sti-uggle, which would doubtless have

been a short affair, had not the whole party interposed between

the combatants and forbidden the fight. In the hurly-burly,

Gallego took to his heels and departed.

The scoundrel's escape caused some alarm in the camp, as it

was feared he might leave the island, and, turning king's evi-

dence, make the waters of Cuba too hot for the band. Accord-

ingly, all the canoes and boats that night were drawn up on the

beach and kept under double watch.

AVhen order was restored in the rancho, I asked Don Rafael

to explain the " three accusations "that had been made against

my fair fame;when I learned that I was charged by Gallego

with having felled him in the boat, with having shipped volun-


tarily in the privateer, and with returning in the Cara-bobo's

boats to rob the rancho of its valuables !

The first of the allegations I admitted to be true; the second

had been disproved by the privateer's boatmen; and, as to the

third, I at once insisted upon the party's taking torches and

accompanying me to the graveyard, where. I told them, they

would fiod—as, in truth, they did—the valuables this villain had

charged me with stealing. On our way thither, I recounted the

manner in which I detected his infamy.

Next morning we divided into two parties, and takiug the

dogs, proceeded in chase of the dastard Galician. He was

quickly tracked by the hounds and caught asleep, with two emptyflasks beside him.

A drum-head court-martial at once convened for his trial, and

it was unanimously resolved to chain him to a tree, where he was

to be left exposed to the elements until he starved to death.

The passive and silent fit had again come over Gallego. I im-

plored that the sentence might be softened, but I was laughed at

for my childish pity, and ordered home to the rancho. The com-

mand to chain him having been executed, the Spanish outcast

was left to his terrible fate. One of the men, out of compassion,

as he said, secretly conveyed a case of gin to the doomed man,and left it within reach, either to solace his departure from the

world, or to render him insensible. But his end was speedy.

Next morning the guard found him dead, with six empty bottles

out of the case. His body was denied the rites of sepulture.

It was left lying in chains as he perished, to rot in the sun and

be devoured by the insects generated from his decay.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVEK. 87

CHAPTER VI.

When these dreadful scenes wore over, Don Rafael took me

aside with the pleasant news that the time for my liberation was

indeed arrived. He handed me one hundred and twenty-five

dollars, which were my share of the proceeds of our lawful

fishing." Take the money," said Ilatael, with a good deal of

feeling; "take it, young man, \;ii]\ perfect confidence;—there is

7io blood on it !"

My preparations for departure were quickly made, as Bachi-

cha was in the cove with his craft ready to take me to the main-

laud. I bade a hasty adieu to the gaîg ;and perhaps it is rare

that any one ever abandoned the companions of several months'

intimacy with so little pain. Rafael's solicitude for my character

touched me. He had done all in his power to preserve my self-

respect, and I was, therefore, well disposed to regard the good

counsel he gave me at parting, and to believe in his sincerity

when he pictured a bright future, and contrasted it with his own

desolation and remorse." I have recommended you, hijo mio, to a friend in Regla,

on the opposite side of the harbor at Havana, who will take

care of you. He is a ^?atsa?20 of ours. Take these additional

ten ounces, which are the fruit of honest labor. They will help

you to appear properly in Havana;so that, with the care of

Bachicha and our Regla countryman, I don't despair of your

welfare. Adios ! para siempre !"

3*

58 CAPTAIN canot; oa,

^ And so we parted ;

—and it was, indeed, an adieu for ever.

We never met again, but I heard of Don Rafael and his fortunes.

The new enterprise with the pilot-boat turned out successfully,

and -the band acquired considerable property on the island before

the piratical nests along the coast of Cuba were broken up bycruisers. Rafael had some narrow escapes from the noose and

the yard-arm; but he eluded the grasp of his pursuers, and died

a respectable ranchero on a comfortable farm in the interior of

the Queen of the Antilles.

The light winds of summer soon brought us inside the More

Castle, past the frowning batteries of the Cabanas, and at

anchor near Regla, within the beautiful harbor of Havana. I

shall never forget the impression made on my mind by this deli-

cious scene as it first broke on my sight at sunrise, in all the cool

freshness of morning. The grand amphitheatre of hills swept

down to the calm and lake-like water with gentle slopes, lapped

in the velvet robes of richest green, and embroidered, as it were,

with lace-like spots of castle, fort, dwelling, and villa, until the

seaward points were terminated on the left, by the brilliant city,

and on the right by a pile of majestic batteries.

This grand and lasting impression was made almost at a

glance, for, at my time of life, I was more concerned with man

than nature, and rarely paused to dwell on the most fascinating

scenery. Accordingly, I hastened to Regla with my letter of

introduction, which was interpreted by Bachicha to the Italian

gi'ocer, the friend of Rafael, to whom I was confided, II signore

Carlo Cibo was an illiterate man of kind heart, who had adven-

tui'ously emigrated from Italy to furnish the Havanese with good

things ; while, in return, the Havanese had been so pleased with

his provender, that Carlo may be said to have been a man "very

well to do in the world "for a foreigner. He received me with

unbounded kindness;

—welcomed me to his bachelor home;

—apologized for its cold eheerlessness, and ordered me to consider

himself and his " casa "entirely at my disposal as long as I

chose to remain.

I was content to accept this unstinted hospitality for a few


days, while I ran over the town, the hills, and the paseos ; but I

could not consent to dally long eating the bread of idleness and

charity. I observed that my friend Carlo was either the most

prudent or least inquisitive man I knew, for he never asked me a

question about my early or recent history. As he would not

lead the conversation to my affairs, I one day took the liberty to

inquire whether there was a vessel in port bound to the Pacific

Ocean or Mexico, in which my protector could possibly find a

situation for me as an officer, or procure me permission to work

my way even as a common sailor.

The kind grocer instantly divined my true motive, and while

he honored me for it, deprecated the idea of my departure. Hesaid that my visit, instead of being a burden, was a pleasure he

could not soon replace. As to the expenses of his house, he

declared they were, in fact, not increased. What fed five, fed

half a dozen; and, as to my proposal to go to Mexico, or any

other place in Spanish America on the Continent, with a view of"making my fortune," he warmly protested against it, in con-

sequence of his own experience."They can never conquer their jealousy oi foreigners ,''''

said

Carlo;

"you may live with them for years, and imagine your-

self as intimate as brothers; but, at last, carramba^ you will

find something turn up, that marks you an alien and kindles

nationality against you. Take my advice, Don Teodore, staywhere you are

; study Spanish carefully ; get the hang of the

people ; and, my life on it, before long, you'll have your hands

full of trump cards and the game in your power."I did as he desired, and was presented to a corpulent

old quiz of a padre, who pretended to instruct me in classical

Castilian. Two lessons demonstrated his incapacity ;but as he

was a jolly gossip of my grocer, and hail-fellow with the whole

village of Regla, I thought it good policy to continue his pupil

in appearance, while I taught myself in private. Besides this,

the padre was a bo)i vivant and devoted lover of fish. Now, as

I happened to be a good sportsman, with a canoe at my com-

mand, I managed to supply his kitchen with an abundance of

the finny tribe, which bis cook was an adept in preparing. It

60 CAPTAIN CANOT OR,

may be supposed that our " fast days^ were especial epochs of

delicious reunion. A fine dinner smoked on the table;

a goodbottle was added by the grocer ; and, while my entertainer dis-

cussed the viands, I contrived to keep him in continual chat,

which, in reality, was the best practical lesson a man in mycircumstances could receive.

It is strange how our lives and destinies are often decided bytrifles. As I sailed about the harbor in idleness, my nautical

eye and taste were struck by the trim rig of the sharp built

"slavers," which, at that time, used to congregate at Havana.

There was something bewitching to my mind in their race-horse

beauty. A splendid vessel has always had the same influence on

my mind, that I have heard a splendid woman has on the minds

of other men. These dashing slavers, with their arrowy hulls

and raking masts, got complete possession of my fancy. There

was hardly a day that I did not come home with a discovery of

added charms. Signor Carlo listened in silence and nodded his

head, when I was done, with an approving smile and a

" bueno !"

I continued my sailing peregrinations for a month around the

harbor, when my kind entertainer invited me to accompany him

aboard a vessel of which, he said, he owned two shares—she

was bound to Africa ! The splendid clipper was one of the very

craft that had won my heart;and my feverish soul was com-

pletely upset by the gala-scene as we drifted down the bay, par-

taking of a famous breakfast, and quaffing bumpers of Cham-

pagne to the schooner's luck. When she passed the Moro Cas-

tle we leaped into our boats and gave the voyagers three hearty

and tipsy cheers. My grocer was a "slaver !

"

I had a thousand questions for the Italian in regard to the

trade, now that I found he belonged to the fraternity. All myinquiries were gratified in his usually amiable manner

;and that

night, in my dreams, I was on board of a coaster chased by

John Bull.

My mind was made up. Mexico, Peru, South American in-

dependence, patriotism, and all that, were given to the breezes


of the gulf. I slept oflF my headache and nightmare ;and next

morning announced to Cibo my abandonment of the Costa

Firma, and my anxiety to get a situation in a vessel bound to

Africa.

In a few daj'S I was told that my wishes would perhaps be

gratified, as a fast vessel from the Oanaries was about to be

sold;and if she went off a bargain, Signer Carlo had resolved

to purchase her, with a friend, to send to Africa.

Accordingly, the Canary'• Globo " was acquired for $3000 ;

and after a perfect refitting at the Casa-Blanca of Havana,loomed in the harbor as a respectable pilot-boat of forty tons.

Her name, in consequence of reputed speed, was changed to " El

Areostatico;

" a culverine was placed amidships ;all the requi-

sites for a slave cargo were put on board;

fifteen sailors, the re-

fuse of the press-gang and jail-birds, were shipped ; powder, am-

munition, and small arms, were abundantly supplied ; and, last

of all, four kegs, ballasted with specie, were conveyed into the

cabin to purchase our return cargo.

It was on the 2d of September. 182G, after a charming de-

jeuner^ that I bade farewell to my friend Carlo on the deck of

the Areostatico, cleared for the Cape de Verd isles, but, in

truth, bound for the llio Pongo. Our crew consisted of twenty-one scamps

—Spaniards, Portuguese, Frenchmen, and mongrels.

The Majorcan captain was an odd character to intrust with such

an enterprise, and probably nowhere else, save in Havana at

that period, would he have been allowed to command a slaver.

He was a scientific navigator, but no sailor;

—afraid of his

shadow, he had not a particle of confidence in his own judgment ;

every body was listened to, and he readily yielded his opinions

without argument or controversy. Our chief ofi&ccr, a Catalonian

cousin of the captain, made no pretensions to seamanship, yet he

was a good math<^matician. I still remember the laughs I had

at the care he took of his lily-white hands, and the jokes we

cracked upon his girl-like manners, voice, and conversation. TLo

boatswain, who was in his watch, assured me that he rarely gavean order without humming it out to a tune of some favorite

opera.


In this fantastic group, I occupied the position of superuu*

merary officer and interpreter ;but accustomed, as I had been,

to wholesome American seamanship and discipline, I trembled

not a little when I discovered the amazing ignorance of the mas-

ter, and observed the utter worthlessness of our crew. These

things made me doubly vigilant ;and sometimes I grieved that

I was not still in Regla, or on the pasco. On the tenth day out,

a northwester began to pipe and ripei. to a gale as the sea rose

with it. Sail had been soon diminished on the schooner;but

when I was relieved in my watch by the first officer, I hmted to

the captain that it would be best to lay the vessel to as soon as

possible. We had been scudding before the tempest for some

hours under a close-reefed foresail, and I feared if we did not

bring our craft to the wind at once, we would either run her un-

der, or be swamped in attempting the manojuvre when the waves

got higher. The captain, however, with his usual submission to

the views of the wrong person, took the advice of the helmsman,who happened to be older than I, and the schooner was allowed

to dash on either through or over the seas, at the speed of a

racer.

By this time the forward deck was always under water, and

the men gathered abaft the trunk to keep as dry as possible.

Officers and crew were huddled together pell-mell, and, with our

usual loose discipline, every body joined in the conversation and

counsel. Before sundown I again advised the laying to of the

schooner;but the task had now become so formidable that the

men. who dreaded the job, assured the captain that the wind

would fall as the moon arose. Yet, when the dim orb appearedabove the thick, low-drifting scud, the gale increased. The

light rather hinted than revealed the frightful scene around that

egg-shell on the lashed and furious sea. Each wave swept over

us, but our buoyant craft rose on the succeeding swell, and cleft

its crest with her knife-like prow. It was now too late to at-

tempt bringing her to the wind;

still it became more urgent to

do something to prevent us from being submerged by the hugeseas, which came thundering after us like avalanches on our

C[uarters.


The perilous dilcnima of our doubtful captain and his dainty

mate, may be easily imagined. Every body had an opinion, and

of course they vied with each other in absurdity ;

—at last some

one proposed to cut away the foresail, and bring her to the wind

under bare poles.

I was "conning

" the schooner when this insane scheme was

broached, and fearing that the captain might adopt it, I leaped

on the hatch, after calling the boatswain to my place, and as-

sured the crew that if they severed the sail, we would lose com-

mand of the vessel, so that with impaired headway, the next

wave that struck her would show her keel to the skies and her

deck to the fishes. I exhorted them to drive her faster if pos-

sible rather than stop. To turn out the " balance reef," I said,

was our only salvation;

—and I alleged that I had seen a vessel

saved before in precisely the same way. Cowards, with death

clutching their throats, were soon convinced by a man of nerve.

I availed myself of the instantaneous silence that followed myact, and before the captain could think or speak, I leaped to the

boom with my sharp knife, cutting the reef-points slowly and

carefully, so as not to allow the foresail to be inflated and torn bya single blast.

My judgment was correct. Our increased canvas immediatelysent us skimming over the waves

;the rollers no longer combed

dangerously over our quarter ;we scudded steadily throughout

the remnant of the gale ; and, next night, at sundown, we rested

on a quiet, lake-like ocean, taughtening the strained rigging, and

priding ourselves mightily on the hazards we encountered and

overcame. The Miuorcan skipper was satisfied that no man ever

before performed so daring an exploit. He was, moreover, con-

vinced, that no one but himself could have carried the schooner

through so frightful a storm, or would have invented the noble

expedient of driving instead of stripping her !

From this hour all semblance of regular discipline was aban-

doned. Sailors, who are suff"ercd to tread tlie quarter-deck familiarly

and offer their opinions, never get over the permitted freedom. Our

ragamuffins of the Acrostatico could never abide the idea that the

youngest seaman aboard,—and he, toOj a.foreigner^—should have

64 CAPTAIN CANOT

proved the best sailor. The skilful performance of my duty waa

the source of a rankling grudge. As I would not mix with the

scamps, they called me arrogant. My orders were negligently

•obeyed ; and, in fact, every thing in the schooner became as

comfortless as possible.

Forty-one days, however, brought us to the end of our voyageat the mouth of the Rio Pongo. No one being acquainted with

tlie river's entrance or navigation, the captain and four hands

went ashore for a pilot, who came off in the afternoon, while our

master ascended in a boat to the slave-factory at Bangalang.Four o'clock found us entering the Rio Pougo, with tide and

wind in our favor, so that before the sun sank into the Atlantic

Ocean we were safe at our anchorage below the settlement.

While we were slowly drifting between the river banks, and

watching the goi-geous vegetation of Africa, which, that evening,first burst upon my sight, I fell into a chat with the native pilot,

who had been in the United States, and spoke English remarka-

bly well Berak very soon inquired whether there was any one

else on board who spoke the language besides myself, and whentold that the cabin-boy alone knew it, he whispered a story which,in truth, I was not in the least surprised to hear.

That afternoon one of our crew had attempted the captain's

life, while on shore, by snapping a carabine behind his back !

Our pilot learned the fact from a native who followed the partyfrom the landing, along the beach

;and its truth was confirmed,

in his belief, by the significant boasts made by the tallest of the

boatmen who accompanied him on board. He was satisfied that

the entire gang contemplated our schooner's seizure.

Tlie pilot's story corroborated some hints I received fromour cook during the voyage. It struck me instantly, that if a

crime like this were really designed, no opportunity for its ex-

ecution could be more propitious than the present. I determined,

therefore, to omit no precaution that might save the vessel andthe lives of her honest officers. On examining the carabines

brought back from shore, which I had hurriedly thrown into the

arm chest on deck, I found that the lock of this armory had been

forced, and several pistols and cutlasses abstracted.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. G5

Preparations had undoubtedly been made to assassinate us

As night drew on, ray judgment, as well as nervousness^ con-

vinced me that the darkness would not pass without a murderous

attempt. Tliere was an unusual silence. On reaching port,

there is commonly fun and merriment among crews;but the

usual song and invariable guitar were omitted from the evening's

entertainment. I searched the deck carefully, yet but two ma-

riners were found above the hatches apparently asleep. Inasmuch

as I was only a subordinate officer, I could not command, nor

had I any confidence in the nerve or judgment of the chief mate,

if I trusted my information to him. Still I deemed it a duty

to tell him the story, as well as my discovery about the missing

arms. Accordingly', I called the first officer, boatswain, and cook,

as quietly as possible, into the cabin; leaving our English cabin-

boy to watch in the companion wa}'. Here I imparted our dan-

ger, and asked their assistance in striking iliefirst blow. My plan

was to secure the crew, and give them battle. The mate, as I

expected, shrank like a girl, declining any step till the captain

returned. The cook and boatswain, however, silently approved

my movement;

so that we counselled our cowardly comrade to

remain below, while wc assumed the responsibility and risk of

the enterprise.

It may have been rather rash, but I resolved to begin the

rescue, by shooting down, like a dog and without a word, the

notorious Cuban convict who had attempted the captain's life.

This, I thought, would strike panic into the mutineers;and

end the mutiny in the most bloodless way. Drawing a pair of

large horse-pistols from beneath the captain's pillow, and ex-

amining the load, I ordered the cook and boatswain to follow mo

to the deck. But the craven officer would not quit his hold on

my person. He besought me not to commit murder. He clung

to mc with the panting fear and grasp of a woman. He begged

me, with every term of endearment, to desist; and, in the midst

of my scuffle to throw him off, one of the pistols accidentally ex-

ploded. A moment after, my vigilant watch-boy screamed from

the starboard, a warning" look-out !

"and, peering forward in the

blinding darkness as I emerged from the lighted cabiu; I beheld the

66 CAVTAiN canot; or,

stalwart form of the ringleader, brandishing a cutlass within a

stride of me. I aimed and fired. We both fell : the mutineer

with two balls in his abdomen, and I from the recoil of an over-

charged pistol.

My face was cut, and my eye injured by the concussion;but

as neither combatant was deprived of consciousness, in a momentwe were both on our feet. The Spanish felon, however, pressedhis hand on his bowels, and rushed forward exclaimino- he was

slain; but, in his descent to the forecastle, he was stabbed in

the shoulder with a bayonet by the boatswain, whose vio-orous

blow drove the weapon with such tremendous force that it could

hardly be withdrawn from the scoundrel's carcass.

I said I was up in a minute; and, feeling my face with my

hand, I perceived a quantity of blood on my cheek, around which

I has^ly tied a handkerchief, below my eyes. I then rushed to

the arm-chest. At that moment, the crack of a pistol, and a

sharp, boyish cry, told me that my pet was wounded beside me.

I laid him behind the hatchway, and returned to the chai'ge.

B}'' this time I was blind with rage, and fought, it seems, like a

madman. I confess that I have no personal recollection what-

ever of the following even^^s, and only learned them from the

subsequent report of the cook and boatswain.

I stood, they said, over the arm chest like one spell-bound.

My eyes were fixed on the forecastle;

and. as head after head

loomed out of the darkness above the hatch, I discharged cara-

bine after carabine at the mark. Every thing that moved fell by

my aim. As I fired the wêapons, I flung them away to graspfresh ones : and, when the battle was over, the cook aroused mefrom my mad stupor, still groping wildly for arms in the emptiedchest.

As the smoke cleared off',the fore part of our schooner seemed

utterly deserted; yet we found two men dead, one in mortal

agony on the deck, whift the ringleader and a colleague were

gasping in the forecastle. Six pistols had been fired against us

from forward; but, strange to say, the only efficient ball was the

one that struck my English boy's leg.


When I came to my senses, my first quest was for the gallant

boatswain, who, being unarmed on the forecastle when the unex-

pected discharge' took place, and seeing no chance of escape from

my murderous carabines, took refuge over the bows.

Our cabin-boy was soon quieted. The mutineers needed but

little care for their hopeless wounds, while the felon chief, like all

such wretches, died in an agony of despicable fear, shrieking for

pardon. My shriving of his sins was a speedy rite 1

Such was mj first night in Africa !

68^

CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

CHAPTER VII.

There are casual readers who may consider the scene described

in the hist chapter unnatural It may be said that a youth,whose life had been checquered by trials and disasters, but who

presei-ved a pure sensibility throughout them, is sadly distorted

when portrayed as expanding, at a leap, into a desperado. I

have but little to say in reply to these objections, save that the

occurrences are perfectly true as stated, and, moreover, that I

am satisfied they were only the natural developments of mycharacter.

From my earliest years I have adored nobility of soul, anddetested dishonor and treachery. I have passed through sceneswhich will be hereafter told, that tlie world may qualify by harshnames

; yet I have striven to conduct myself throughout them,not only with the ideas of fairness current among reckless men,but with the truth that, under all circumstances, characterizesan honorable nature.

Now, the tragedy of my first night on the Rio Pongo was

my transition from pupilage to responsible independence. I donot allege in a boastful spirit that I was a man of courage ;

be-

cause courage, or the want of it, are things for which a personis no more responsible than he is for the possession or lack of

physical strength. I was, moreover, always a man of what I

may style se/f-jwssessed jyassion. I was endowed with somethingmore than cool energy ; or, rather, cool energy was heightenedand sublimated by the fire of an ardent nature. Hitherto,I had been tempered down by the habitual obedience to which I

TWENTY YEARS OF «N AFRICAN SLAVER. 69

was subjected as a sailor under lawful discipline. But the

events of the last six months, and especially the gross relaxation

on the voyage to Africa, the risks we had run in navigating the

vessel, and the outlaws that surrounded me, not only kept mymind for ever on the alert, but aroused my dormant nature to a

full sense of duty and self-protection.

Is it unnatural, then, for a man whose heart and nerves have

been laid bare for months, to quiver with agony and respond

with headlong violence, when imperilled character, property and

life, hang upon the fiat of his courageous promptitude? The

doubters may cavil over the philosophy, but I think I mayremain content with the fact. / did my duty—dreadful as

it was.

Let me draw a veil over our gory decks when the gorgeous

sun of Africa shot his first rays through the magnificent trees

and herbage that hemmed the placid river. Five bodieswere

cast into the stream, and the traces of the tragedy obliterated as

well as possible. The recreant mate, who plunged into the

cabin at the report of the first pistol from the forecastle, reap-

peared with haggard looks and trembling frame, to protest that

he had no hand in what he called " the murder." The cook,

boatswain, and African pilot, recounted the whole transaction to

the master, who inserted it in the logbook, and caused me to sign

the narrative with unimplicated witnesses. Then the wound of

the cabin-boy was examined and found to be trifling, while mine,

though not painful, was thought to imperil my sight. The flint

lock of a rebounding pistol had inflicted three gashes, just be-

neath the eye on my cheek.

There was but little appetite for breakfast that day. After

the story was told and recorded, we went sadly to work unmoor-

ing the vessel, bringing her slowly like a hearse to an anchorage

in front of Bangalaug, the residence and factory of Mr. Or-

mond, better known by the country-name of "3IoDgo John.''

This personage came on board early in the morning with our

returned captain, and promised to send a native doctor to cure

both my eye and the boy's leg, making me pledge him a visit aa

soon as the vessel's duties would permit.


That evening the specie was landed, and the schooner left in

my charge by the master, with orders to strip, repair, and pro-

vide for the voyage home. Before night, Mongo John fulfilled

his promise of a physician, who came on board with his prescrip-

tion,—not in his pocket, but by his side ! He ordered my torn

cheek to be bathed, every half hour, tvith liummi milk fresh

from the breast ; and, in order to secure a prompt, pure, and

plentiful supply, a stout negress and her iafant were sent, with

orders to remain as long as her lacteal services might be re-

quii'ed ! I cannot say whether nature or the remedy healed mywound, but in a short time the flesh cicatrized, and all symptomsof inflammation disappeared entirely.

It required ten days to put the Areostatico in ship-shape and

supply her with wood and water. Provisions had been broughtfrom Havana, so that it was only necessary we should stow them

in an accessible manner. As our schooner was extremely small,

we possessed no slave-deck; accordingly, mats were spread over

the fire-wood which filled the interstices of the water casks, in

order to make an even surface for our cargo's repose.

When my tiresome task was done, I went ashore—almost for

the first time—to report progress to the master; but he was still

unprepared to embark his living freight. Large sums, far in

advance of the usual market, were ofi"ered by him for a cargo of

boj/s ; still we were delayed full twenty days longer than our

contract required before a supply reached Bangalang.

As I had promised Mongo JoJin, or John the Chief, to visit

his factory, I took this opportunity to fulfil my pledge. Hereceived me with elaborate politeness; showed me his town,

barracoons, and stores, and even stretched a point, to honor mo

by an introduction to the pe7ictralia of his harem. The visit

paid, he insisted that I should dine with him;and a couple

of choice bottles were quickly disposed of. Ormond, like

myself, had been a sailor. We spoke of the lands, scenes, and

adventures, each had passed through, while a fresh bottle wag

called to fillip our memories. There is nothing so nourishing to

friendship as wine ! Before sundown our electric memories had

circled the globe, and our intimacy culminated.

TWENTY YEARS OF A\ AFRICAN SLAVER. 71

While the rosy fluid operated as a sedative on the Mongo,and glued him to his chair in a comfortable ntp, it had a con-

trary effect on my exhilarated nerves. I strolled to the verandah

to get a breath of fresh air from the river, but soon dashed off

in the darkness to the sacred precincts of the harcni I I was

not detected till I reached nearly the centre of the sanctuarywhere Ormond confined his motley group of black, mulatto, and

quarteroon wives. The first dame who perceived me was a

bright mulatto, with rosy cheeks, sloe-like eyes, coquettish

turban, and most voluptuous mouth, whom I afterwards dis-

covered to be second in the chief's affections. In an instant the

court resounded with a chattering call to her companions, so that,

before I could turn, the whole band of gabbling parrots hemmedme in with a deluge of talk. Fame had preceded me ! Mysable nurse was a servant of the harem, and her visit to the

schooner, with the tale of the tragedy, supplied anecdotes for a

lifetime. Every body was on the qui vive to see the " white

fighter." Every body was crazy to feel the " white skin " she

had healed. Then, with a sudden, childish freak of caprice,

they ran off from me as if afraid, and at once rushed back

again like a flock of glib-tongued and playful monkeys. I could

not comprehend a word they said;but the bevy squealed with

quite as much pleasure as if I did, and peered into my eyes for

answers, with impish devilry at my wondering ignorance.

At last, my sable friends seemed not only anxious to amuse

themselves but to do something for my entertainment also. Achatter in a corner settled what it should be. Two or three

brought sticks, while two or three brought coals. A fire was

quickly kindled in the centre of the court;and as its flames lit

up the area, a whirling circle of half-stripped girls danced to the

monotonous beat of a totn-iom. Presently, the formal ring was

broken, and each female stopping out singly, danced according to

her individual fancy. Some were wild, some were soft, some

were tame, and some were fiery. After so many years I have no

distinct recollection of the characteristic movements of these

semi-savages, especially as the claret and champagne rather

fermented in my brain, and possessed me with the idea that it

72 CAPTAIN CANOT;OR

was my duty to mingle in the bounding throng. I resolved that

the barbarians Should have a taste of Italian quality !

Accordingly, I leaped from the hammock where I had swung

idly during the scene, and, beginning with a halancez and an

avant-deux, terminated my terpsichorean exhibition by a regular" double shuffle

" and sailor's hornpipe. The delirious laughter,

cracked sides, rollicking fun, and outrageous merriment, with

which my feats were received, are unimaginable by sober-sided

people. Tired of my single exhibition, I seized the prettiest of

the group by her slim, shining waist, and whirled her round and

round the court in the quickest of waltzes, until, with a kiss, I

laid her giddy and panting on the floor. Then, grasping an-

other,—another,—

another,—and another,

—and treating each to

the same dizzy swim, I was about waltzing the whole seraglio

iuto quiescence, when who should rise before us but the staring

and yawning Mongo !

The apparition, sobered me. A quarteroon pet of Ormond,—just spinning into fashionable and luscious insensiblility,

—fell

from my arms into those of her master;and while I apologized

for the freak, I charged it altogether to the witchcraft of his wit

and wine." Ha !

"said the Mongo,

"St. Vitus is in your Italian heels

the moment you are within hail of music and dancing ; and, by

Jove, it seems you can scent a petticoat as readily as a hound

tracks runaways. But there's no harm in dancings Don Teo-

dore; only hereafter I hope you will enjoy the amusement in a

less uproarious manner. In Africa we are fond of a siesta after

dinner;and I recommend you to get, as soon as possible, under

the lee of another bottle."

We retired once more to his mahogany ; and, under the spell

of my chieftain's claret and sea-yarns, I was soon lapped in deli-

cious sleep.

Next day the captain of the Areostatico drew me aside con-

fidentially, and hinted that Ormond had taken such a decided

fancy for mc, and insinuated so warm a wish for my continuance


as his ckrk at Bangalang, that he thought it quite a duty,

though a sad one, to give his advice on the subject." It may be well for your purse, Don Teodore, to stay vîth

80 powerful a trader;but beside the improvement of your for-

tunes, there are doubts whether it will be wholesome for you to

revisit Havana, at least at present. It may be said, amigo mio^

that you commenced the warfare on board the schooner;

—and as

five men were slain in the affray, it will be necessary for me to

report the fact to the commandante as soon as I arrive. Nowit is true, hijo mio^ that you saved the vessel, cargo, specie, and

my cousin; yet, God knows what may be the result of Havana

justice. You will have a rigid examination, and I rather think

you will be imprisoned until the final decision is made. Whenthat consummation shall occur is quite uncertain. If you have

friends, they will be bled as long as possible before you get out;

if you have none, no one will take pains to see you released with-

out recompense. When you see daylight once more, the rest of

these ragamuffins and the felon friends of the dead men, will be-

gin to dog your steps, and make Havana uncomfortable as well

as dangerous ;so that I have no hesitation in recommending you

to stay where you are, and take the doubloons of the Mongo."

I thought I saw at a glance the drift of this hypocritical fan-

faronade^ and was satisfied he only desired to get rid of me in

order to reinstate the chief mate in a situation which he surely

could not occupy as long as I was on board. As I meant to stay

in Africa, I told him at once that I grieved because he had not

spoken his wishes openly, boldly, and honestly, like a man, but

had masked an ungrateful cowardice by hypocritical solicitude

for my welfare. I departed abruptly with a scowl of contempt ;

and as he hastened to hide his blanched face in the cabin, I

called a boat, and throwing my sea chest, bedding, and arms,

aboard, committed my fate to the African continent. A half-

hour turned and decided my fate !

SJr. Ormond received me very cordially, and, installing me

in my new secretaryship, promised a private establishment, a

seat at his table, and a negro per month,—or its value at the

rate of forty dollars,—for my scrvicea


"When the runners returned from the interior with the slaves

required to complete the Areostatico's cargo, I considered it myduty to the Italian grocer of Eegla to dispatch his vessel person-

ally. Accordingly, I returned on board to aid in stowing one

hundred and eight boys and girls, the eldest of whom did not

exceed fifteen years ! As I crawled between decks, I confess I

could not imagine how this little army was to be packed or draw

breath in a hold but twenty-two incites high 1 Yet the experi-

ment was promptly made, inasmuch as it was necessary to secure

them below in descending the river, in order to prevent their

leaping overboard and swimming ashore. I found it impossible

to adjust the whole in a sitting posture ;but we made them lie

down in each other's laps, like sardines in a can, and in this wayobtained space for the entire cargo. Strange to tell, when the

Areostatico reached Havana, but three of these "passengers

"

had paid the debt of nature.

As I left the schooner a few miles outside the bar, I crossed

her side without an adieu save for the English cabin boy, whose

fate I was pained to intrust to these stupid Spaniards. Indeed,

the youth almost belonged to me, for I may say he owed his life

to my interference.

Previous to the voyage, while waiting in the harbor of Ha-

vana for a crew, our vessel was anchored near the wharves, next

to an English merchantman. One afternoon I heard a scream

from the neighboring craft, and perceived a boy rush from

the cabin with his face dyed in blood. He was instantly pursued

by a burly seaman, inflicting blows with his fist. I implored tlie

brute to desist, but my interference seemed to augment his cho-

ler to such a degree, that he seized a handspike to knock the

stripling down. Upon this I called the child to leap overboard,

at the same time commanding a hand to lower my boat and scull

in the direction of his fall. The boy obeyed my voice;and in a

few minutes I had him on board blessing me for his safety. But

the drunken Briton vented his raore in the most indecent lan-

guage ;and had his boat been aboard, I doubt not a summary

visit would have terminated in a fight on my deck.

However, as good luck would have it, his skifl" was at the

TWENTY YEARS OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 7B

landing, so that there was ample time, before he could reach the

Areostatico, to tie up the bruised face and broken rib of the

child, and to conceal him in the house of a Spanish crone in

Havana, who cured the maladies of credulous seamen bywitchcraft !

After nightfall the master of the British vessel came aboard

to claim his boy ;but as he was petulant and seemed disposed to

carry matters with a high hand, my temper rose in resistance,

and I refused to release the child until he sealed with an oath

his promise to treat him better in future. But the cruel scoun-

drel insisted on unconditional surrender;and to end the contro-

versy, I was compelled to order him off the schooner.

British pluck of course would not allow a captain to be de-

prived so easily of his property, so the British consul was in-

voked to appeal to the captain of the port. This personage sum-

moned me before him, and listened calmly to a story which

added no honor to English mariners. In my last interview with

the boy he implored my continued protection and concealment;

so that when the Spanish official declared—notwithstanding the

officer's conduct—that the vessel was entitled to her crew-, and

that I must surrender the child, I excused myself from comply-

ing by pleading utter ignorance of his whereabout. In view of

this contingency, I directed the woman to hide him in a place of

which I should be ignorant. So I told no lie, and saved the boyfrom his tyrant.

The inquiry was dropped at this stage of proceedings. Whenthe British vessel sailed a few days after, I caused the youthto be brought from his concealment

; and, with our captain's

consent, brought him aboard to serve in our cabin.

I have narrated this little episode in consequence of my love

for the boy, and because he. was the only E7iglish subject I ever

knew to shij) in a slaver.

I requested the Areostatic's owners to pay him liberally for

his fidelity when begot back to Havana; and I was happy to

learn next year, that they not only complied with my request,but sent him home to his friends iu Liverpool.

76 CAPTAIN canot: OB..

CHAPTEE VIII.

When I got back to Bangalang, my first movement was to take

possession of the quarters assigned me by the Mongo, and to

make myself as comfortable as possible in a land whose chief re-

quirements are shade and shelter. My house, built of cane plas-

tered with mud, consisted of two earthen-floored rooms and a

broad verandah. The thatched roof was rather leaky, while myfurniture comprised two arm-chests covered with mats, a deal

table, a bamboo settle, a tin-pan with palm-oil for a lamp, and a

German looking-glass mounted in a paper frame. I augmented

these comforts by the addition of a trunk, mattress, hammock

and pair of blankets; yet, after all this embellishment, I confess

my household was rather a sorry affair.

It is time I should make the reader acquainted with the in-

dividual who was the presiding genius of the scene, and, in some

degree, a type of his peculiar class in Africa.

Mr. Ormond was the son of an opulent slave-trader from

Liverpool, and owed his birth to the daughter of a native chief

on the Rio Pongo. His father seems to have been rather proud

of his mulatto stripling, and dispatched him to England to be

edacated. But Master John had made little progress in belles-

lettres, when news of the trader's death was brought to the

British agent, who refused the youth further supplies of money.

The poor boy soon became an outcast in a land which had not


yet become fashionably addicted to philanthropy ; and, after

drifting about awhile in England, he shipped on board a mcr-

chautuian. The press-gang soon got possession of the likely

mulatto for the service of his Britannic Majesty. Sometimes he

played the part of dandy waiter in the cabin;sometimes he

swung a hammock with the hands in the forecastle. Thus, five

years slipped by, during which the wanderer visited most of the

West Indian and Mediterranean stations.

At length the prolonged cruise was terminated, and Ormond

paid ofiF. He immediately determined to employ his hoarded

cash in a voyage to Africa, where he might claim his father's

property. The project was executed;his mother was still found

alive; and, fortunately for the manly youth she recognized him

at once as her first born.

The reader will recollect that these things occurred on the

west coast of Africa in the early part of the present century,

and that the tenure of property, and the interests of foreign

traders, were controlled entirely by such customary laws as pre-

vailed on the spot. Accordingly, a "grand palaver" was ap-

pointed, and all Mr. Ormond's brothers, sisters, uncles, and

cousins,—many of whom were in possession of his father's slaves

or their descendants,—were summoned to attend. The " talk

"

took place at the appointed time. The African mother stood

forth stanchly to assert the identity and rights of her first-born,

and, in the end, all of the Liverpool trader's property, in houses,

lands, and negroes, that could be ascertained, was handed over,

according to coast-law, to the returned heir.

When the mulatto youth was thus suddenly elevated into

comfort, if not opulence, in his own country, he resolved to aug-

ment his wealth by pursuing his father's business. But the

whole country was then desolated by a civil war, occasioned, as

most of them are, by family disputes, which it was necessary to

terminate before trade could be comfortably established.

To this task Ormond steadfastly devoted his first year. His

cflforts were seconded by the opportune death of one of the war-

ring chiefs. A tame opponent,—a brother of Ormond's mother,

—was quickly brought to terms by a trifling present ;

so that the

78 CAxTAIN CANOT; OR,

sailor boy soon concentrated the family influence, and declared

himself "Mongo," or, Chief of the River.

Bangalang had long been a noted factory among the Eflglishtraders. When war was over, Ormond selected this post as his

permanent residence, while he sent runners to Sierra Leone and

Goree with notice that he would shortly be prepared with ample

cargoes. Trade, which had been so long interrupted by hostili-

ties, poured from the interior. Vessels from Goree and Sierra

Leone were seen in the offing, responding to his invitation. His

stores were packed with British, French, and American fabrics;

while hides, wax, palmoil, ivory, gold, and slaves, were the na-

tive products for which Spaniards and Portuguese hurried to

proffer their doubloons and bills.

It will be readily conjectured that a very few years sufficed

to make Jack Ormond not only a wealthy merchant, but a popu-lar Mongo among the great interior tribes of Foulahs and Man-

dingoes. The petty chiefs, whose territory bordered the sea,

flattered him with the title of king ; and, knowing his Mormon

taste, stocked his harem with their choicest children as the most

valuable tokens of friendship and fidelity.

When I was summoned to act as secretary or clerk of such a

personage, I saw immediately that it would be well not only to

understand my duties promptly, but to possess a clear estimate

of the property I was to administer and account for. Ormond's

easy habits satisfied me that he was not a man of business ori-

ginally, or had become sadly negligent under the debasing in-

fluence of wealth and voluptuousness. My earliest task, there-

fore, was to make out a minute inventory of his possessions,

while I kept a watchful eye on his stores, never allowing anv

one to enter them unattended. When I presented this document,which exhibited a large deficiency, the Mongo received it with

indifference, begging me not to "annoy him with accounts."

His manner indicated so much petulant fretfulness, that I au-

gured from it the conscious decline or disorder of his affairs.

As I was returning to the warehouse from this mortifying

interview, I encountered an ancient hag,—a sort of superintend-

ent Cerberus or manager of the Mongo's harem,—who, by signs,


intimated that slio wanted the key to the "cloth-chest," whence

she immediately helped herself to several fathoms of calico

The crone could not speak English, and, as I did not understand

the Soosoo dialect, we attempted no oral argument about the

propriety of her conduct; but, taking a pencil and paper, and

making signs that she should go to the Mongo, who would write

an order for the raiment, I led her quietly to the door. Thewrath of the virago was instantly kindled, while her I orrid face

gleamed with that devilish ferocity, which, in some degree is lost

by Africans who dwell on our continent. During the reign of

my predecessors, it seems that she had been allowed to control

the store keys, and to help herself unstintedly. I knew not, of

course, what she said on this occasion;but the violence of her

gestures, the nervous spasms of her limbs, the flashing of her

eyes, the scream of her voluble tongue, gave token that she

swelled with a rage which was augmented by my imperturbable

quietness. At dinner, I apprised Mr. Ormond of the negro'sconduct

;but he received the announcement with the same laugh

of indifl'erence that greeted the account of his deficient in-

ventory.

That night I had just stretched myself on my hard pallet,

and was revolving the difficulties of my position with some de-

gree of pain at my forced continuance in Africa, when my ser-

vant tapped softly at the door, and announced that some one

demanded admittance, but begged that I would first of all ex-

tinguish the light. I was in a country requiring caution;

so 1

felt my pistols before I undid the latch. It was a bright, star-

light night ; and, as I opened the door sufficiently to obtain a

glance beyond,—still maintaining my control of the aperture,

—I perceived the figure of a female, wrapped in cotton cloth from

head to foot, except the face, which I recollected as that of the

beautiful quarteroon I was whirling in the waltz, when sur-

prised by the Mongo. She put forth her hands from the folds

of her garment, and laying one softly on my arm, while she

touched her lips with the other, looked wistfully behind, and

glided into my apaftment.This poor girl, the child of a mulatto mother and a white


parentj was born in the settlement of Sierra Lcone, and had

acquired our language with much more fluency than is common

among her race. It was said that her father had been originally

a missionary from Grreat Britain, but abandoned his profession

for the more lucrative traffic in slaves, to which he owed an

abundant fortune. It is probable that the early ecclesiastical

turn of her delinquent progenitor induced him, before he de-

parted for America, to bestow on his child the biblical name of

Esther.

I led my trembling visitor to the arm-chest, and, seating her

gently by my side, inquired why I was favored by so stealthy a

visit from the harem. My suspicions were aroused; for, though

a novice in Africa, I knew enough of the discipline maintained in

these slave factories, not to allow my fancy to seduce me with the

idea that her visit was owing to mad-cap sentimentality.

The manner of these quarteroon girls, whose complexion

hardly separates them from our own race, is most winningly grace-

ful; and Esther, with abated breath, timidly asked my pardon for

intruding, while she declared I had made so bitter an enemy of

Unga-golah,—the head-woman of the seraglio,

—that, in spite of

danger, she stole to my quarters with a warning. Unga swore

revenge. I had insulted and thwarted her;I was able to thwart

her at all times, if I remained the Mongo's" book-man

;

"—I

must soon "go to another country ;

"but, if I did not, I would

quickly find the food of Bangalang excessively unwholesome !

" Never eat any thing that a Mandingo offers you," said Esther.'•'• Take your meals exlusively from the Mongo's tabl& Unga-

golah knows all the INIandingo ju-jus.^ and she will have no

scruple in using them in order to secure once more the control

of the store keys. Good night !

"

With this she rose to depart, begging me to be silent about

her visit, and to believe that a poor slave could feel true kindness

for a white man, or even expose herself to save him.

If an unruly passion had tugged at my heartstrings, the soft

appeal, the liquid tones, the tenderness of this girl's humanity,

would have extinguished it in an instant. It was the first time

for many a long and desolate month that I had experienced the


gentle touch of a woman's hand, or felt the interest of mortal

solicitude fall like a refreshing dew upon my heart ! Who will

censure me for halting on my door-sill as I led her forth, retain-

ing her little hand in mine, while I cast my eyes over the lithe

symmetry of those slender and rounded limbs;while I feasted

on the flushed magnolia of those beautiful cheeks, twined myfingers in the trailing braids of that raven hair, peered into the

blackness of those large and swimming orbs, felt a tear trickle

down my hardening face, and left, on those coral lips, the printof a kiss that was fuller of gratitude than passion !

Nowadays that Mormouisra is grafting a "celestial wifery"

upon the civilization of the nineteenth century, I do not think it

amiss to recall the memory of those African establishments which

formed so large a portion of a trader's homestead. It is not to

be supposed that the luxurious harem of Turkey or Egypt was

transferred to the Guinea coast, or that its lofty walls were bar-

ricaded by stout gates, guarded by troops of sable eunuchs. The"wifery

" of my employer was a bare inclosure, formed by a

quadrangular cluster of mud-houses, the entrance to whose court-

yard was never watched save at night. Unga-golah, the eldest

and least delectable of the dames, maintained the establishment's

police, assigned gifts or servants to each female, and distributed

her master'* favors according to the bribes she was cajoled by.

In early life and during his gorged prosperity, Ormond,—a

stout, burly, black-eyed, broad-shouldered, short-necked man,—ruled his harem with the rigid decorum of the East. But as

age and misfortunes stole over the sen-sual voluptuai-y, his mental

and bodily vigor became impaired, not only by excessive drink,

but by the narcotics to which he habitually resorted for excite

ment. When I became acquainted with him, his face and figure

bore the marks of a worn-out debauchc. His harem now was

a fashion of the country rather than a domestic resort. His wives

ridiculed him, or amused themselves as they pleased. I learned

from Esther that there was hardly one who did not "flirt

"with

a lover in Bangalaiig, and that Unga-golah was blinded by gifts

while the stupor of the Mongo was perpetuated by liquor.

4*


It may be supposed that in such a seraglio^ and with such a

master, there were but few matrimonial jealousies ; still, as it

would be difficult to find, even in our most Christian society, two

females without some lurking bitterness towards rivals, so it is

not to be imagined that the Monro's mansion was free from

womanly quarrels. These disputes chiefly occurred when Or-

mond distributed gifts of calico, beads, tobacco, pipes and look-

ing-glasses. If the slightest preference or inequality was shown,

adieu to order. Unga-srolah descended below zero ! The favor-

ite wife, outraged by her neglected authority, became furious;

and, for a season, pandemonium was let loose in Bangalang.

One of these scenes of passion occurs to me as I write. I

was in the store with the Mongo when an aggrieved dame, not

remarkable either for dclicac}^ of complexion or sweetness of

odor, entered the room, and marching up with a swagger to her

master, dashed a German looking-glass on the floor at his feet.

She wanted a larger one, for the glass bestowed on her was half

an inch smaller than the gifts to her companions.

When Ormond was sober, his pride commonly restrained him

from allowing the women to molest his leisure;so he quietly

turned from the virago and ordered her out of the store.

Bnt my lady was not to be appeased by dignity like this.

" Ha !

" shrieked the termagant, as she wrenched off her hand-

kerchief '•' Ha !

"yelled she, tearing off one sleeve, and then

the other." Ha !

" screamed the fiend, kicking a shoe into one

corner, and the other shoe into another corner. " Ha ! Mongo !

"

roared the beldame, as she stripped every garment from her

body and stood absolutely nalced before us, slapping her wool,

cheeks, forehead, breasts, arms, stomach and limbs, and appeal-

ing to Ormond to say where she was deficient in charms, that

she should be slighted half an inch on a looking-glass ?

As the Mongo was silent, she strode up to me for an opinion ;

but, scarlet with blushes, I dived behind the cloth-chest, and

left the laughing Ormond to gratify the whim of the " model

irtiste?''

Years afterwards, I remember seeing an infuriate Ethiopian

Aing her infant into the fire because its white father preferred the


child of another spouse. Indeed, I was glad my station at Bang

alang did not make it needful for the preservation of my respect-

ability that I should indulge in the luxury of African matri-

mony !

But these exhibitions of jealous passion were not excited

alone by the unequal distribution of presents from the liege lord

of Bancalansr. I have observed that Ormond's wives took

advantage of his carelessness and age, to seek congenial compan-

ionship outside the harem. Sometimes the preference of two of

these sable bcHcs alighted on the same lover, and then the battle

was transferred from a worthless looking glass to the darling

bean. When such a quarrel arose, a meeting between the rivals

was arranged out of the Mongo's hearing ; when, throwing off

their waist-cloths, the controversy was settled between the

female gladiators without much damage. But, now and then,

the matter was not left to the ladies. The sable lovers them-

selves took up the conflict, and a regular challenge passed between

the gay Othellos.

At the appointed time, the duellists appeared upon" the

field of honor "accompanied by friends who were to witness their

victory or sympathize in their defeat. Each stalwart savage

leaped into the arena, armed with a cow-hide cat, whose sharp

and triple thongs were capable of inflicting the harshest blows.

They stripped, and tossed three cowries into the air to determine

which of the two should receive the first lashing. The unfortu-

nate loser immediately took his stand, and received, with the

firmness of a martyr, the allotted number of blows. Then came

the turn of the whipper, who, with equal constancy, offered his

back to the scourge of the enraged sufferer. Thus they alter-

nated until one gave in, or until the bystanders decreed victory

to him who bore the punishment longest without wincing. The

flayed backs of these " chivalrous men of honor " were ever after

displayed in token of bravery ; and, doubtless, their Dulcincas

devoted to their healing the subtlest ointment and tcnderest

affection recognized among Africans.

84 CAPTAIN canot; or.

CHAPTER IX.

My business habits aud systematic devotion to the Mougo's in-

terests soon made me familiar 'with the broad features of " coun-

try trade;

" but as I was still unable to speak the coast dialects,

Mr. Ormond—who rarely entered the warehouse or conversed

about commerce—supplied an adroit interpreter, who stood

beside me and assisted in the retail of foreign merchandise, for

rice, ivory, palm-oil, and domestic provisions. The purchase of

slaves and gold was conducted exclusively by the Mongo, who

did not consider me sufficiently initiated in native character and

tricks to receive so delicate a trust.

Loner and dreary were the days and nights of the apparently

interminable " wet season." Rain in a city, rain in the coun-

try, rain in a village, rain at sea, are sufficiently wearying, even

to those whose mental activity is amused or occupied by books or

the concerns of life;but who can comprehend the insufferable

lassitude and despondency that overwhelm an African resident,

as he lies on his mat-covered arm-chest, and listens to the endless

deluge pouring for days, weeks, months, upon his leaky thatch ?

At last, however, the season of rain passed by, and the "dry

season "set in. This was the epoch for the arrival of caravans

from the interior;so that we were not surprised when our run-

ners appeared, with news that Ahmah-de-Bellah, son of a noted


FuUah chief, was about to visit the Rio Pongo with an imposingtrain of followers and merchandise. The only means of commu-

nication with the interior of Africa are, for short distances, by

rivers, and, for longer ones, by"paths

"or "

trails"

leading

through the dense forest and among the hills, to innumerable" towns" that stud this prolific land. Stephenson and McAdamhave not been to Africa, and there are neither turnpikes nor

railways. Now, when the coast-traders of the west arc apprised

that caravans arc threading their way towards the Atlantic shores,

it is always thought advisable to make suitable preparations for

the chiefs, and especially to greet them by messages, before their

arrival at the beach. Accordingly, '^barkers'''' arc sent forth on the

forest "paths

"to welcome the visitors with gifts of tobacco and

powder." Barkers "

are colored gentlemen, with fluent tonguesand flexible consciences, always in the train of factories on the

coast, who hasten to the wilderness at the first signal of a cara-

van's approach, and magnify the prosperity and merchandise of

their patrons with as much zeal and veracity as the " drummers"

of more Christian lands.

A few days after our band of travelling agents had departed

on their mission, the crack of fire-arms was hoard from the hills

in our rear, signifying that the Mongo's" barkers " had been

successful with the caravan in tow. A prompt response to the

joyous signal was made by our cannons;so that, after half an

hour's firing, Ahmah-de-Bellah and his party emerged from the

smoke, marshalled by our baud of singers, who preceded him,

chanting with loud voices the praise of the youthful chieftain.

Behind the master came the principal traders and their slaves

laden with produce, and followed by forty captive negroes,

secured by bamboo withes. These were succeeded by three-

score bullocks, a large flock of sheej) or goats, and the females

of the part}- ;while the procession was closed by the demure

tread of a tame and stately Ostrich !

It was the first time I had seen so odd an assemblage of

beasts and humanity. Indeed, had the troupe been accompanied

by a bevy of ourang-outang.s, I confess I might, at times, have

had diflSculty in deciding the grade of animal life to which the

object in front of me belonged.

86 CAPTAIN CANOT

Mr. Ormond, when put upon his mettle, was one of the

ablest traders in Africa, and received the Mahometan strangers

with becoming state. He awaited Ahmah-de-Bellah and his com-

mittee of head-traders on the piazza of his receiving-house, which

was a rather stately edifice, one hundred and fifty feet in length,

built to be fire-proof for the protection of our stores. Wheneach Fullah stranger was presented, he shook hands and"snapped fingers

"with the Mongo several times

; and, as every

petty peddler in the train wanted to salaam the " white man for

good luck," the process of presentation occupied at least an houi*.

According to coast-custom, as soon as these compliments were

over, the caravan's merchandise was deposited within our walls,

not only for security, but in order that we might gauge the valut

of the icdcome the owners were entitled to receive. This pre-

caution, though ungallant, is extremely necessary, inasmuch as

many of the interior dealers were in the habit of declaring, on

arrival, the value of theii- gold and ivory to be much greater than

it was in fact, in order to receive a more liberal "present."

Even savages instinctively acquire the tricks of trade !

When the goods were stored, a couple of fat bullocks, with

an abundant supply of rice, were given to the visitors, and the

chiefs of the caravan were billeted upon our townspeople.' The

canaille built temporary huts for themselves in the outskirts;

while Ahmah-de-Bellah, a strict Mahometan, accompanied by two

of his wives, was furnished with a pair of neat houses that had

been hastily fitted up with new and elegant mats.*

While the merchandise of these large caravans is unpaid for,

their owners, by the custom of the country, remain a costly bur-

den upon the factories. We were naturally anxious to be free

from this expense as soon as possible, and gave notice next morn-

ing that " trade would begin forthwith." Ahmah-de-Bellah, the

chiefs of the caravans, and Mr. Ormond. at once entered into

negotiations, so that by nightfall a bargain had been struck, not

* As it may Le interesting to learn the uatui-e of trade on this coast,—which is cominonly misunderstood as consistinc/ in slaves atone,

—I thought it

well to set down the inventory T made out of the caravan's stock and its

result, as the various items were intrusted to my guardianship. The body


only for their presents, but for the price of mcrchaudisc, and the

percentage to be retained as " native duty." Such a preliminary

liquidation with the heads of a caravan is ever indispensable, for,

without their assistance, it would be out of the question to traf

fie with the ragamuffins who hang on the skirts of opulent chief-

tains.

of the caravan itself consisted of seven hundred persons, principally men;while tlie produce was as follows:

3,500 hides 81,75019 large and prime teeth of ivory, . . . 1,500

Gotd 2,500600 pounds small ivory, 320

15 tons of rice 600

40 slavts, 1,60036 bullocks 300

Sheep, goats, butter, vegetables, . . 100

900 pounds bi'ts-wax, ..... 95

Total value of the caravan's merchandise, . . $8,885.

Our profits on this speculation were very flattering, both as regards

Bales and acquisitions. Kice cost us one cent per pound ;hides were de-

livered at eighteen or twenty cents each;a bullock was sold for twenty

or thirty pounds of tobacco ; sheep, goats or hogs, cost two pounds of to-

bacco, or a fathom of common cotton, each; ivory was purchased at the

rate of a dollar the pound for the best^ while inferior kinds were given at

half that price. In fact, the profit on our merchandise was, at least, one

hundred and fifty per cent. As gold commands the very best fabrics in

exchange, and was paid for at tlie rate of sixteen dollars an ounoe, we

made but seventy per cent, on the article. The slaves were delivered at

the rate of one hundred "bars" each. The "bar" is valued on the coast

at half a dollar; but a pound and a half of tobacco is also a "bar," as

well as a fathom of ordinary cotton cloth, or a pound of powder, while a

common musket is equal to twelve "bars." Accordingly, where slaves

were purchased for one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco, only eighteen

dollars were, in reality, paid ;and when one hundred pounds of powder

were given, we got them for twenty dollars each. Our British muskets

cost us but three dollars a-piece; yet we seldom purchased negroes for

this article alone. If the women, offereJ in the market, exceeded twenty-

five years of age, we made a deduction of twenty per cent.;but if they

were stanchly-built, and gave promising tokens for the future, we took

them at the i)rice of an able-bodied man. The same estimate was made

for youths over four feet four inches high ;but children were rarely pur-

chased at the factories, though they might be advantageously traded in

the native towns.


Each morning, at daylight, a crier went through the town,

announcing the character of the specific trade which would be

carried on during hours of business. One day it was in hides;

another, rice; another, cattle. When these were disposed of, a

time was speciall}^ appointed for the exchange of gold, ivory and

slaves; and, at the agreed hour, Mr. Ormond, Ahmah-debellah,

and m3self, locked the doors of the warehouse, and traded

through a window, while our " barkers "distributed the goods

to the Africans, often using their whips to keep the chatteringand disputatious scamps in order. Aiimah-debellah pretendedto inspect the measurement of cloth, powder and tobacco, to in-

sure justice to his compatriots ; but, in reality, like a true tax-

gatherer, he was busy ascertaining his lawful percentage on the

sale, in return for the protection from robbery he gave the pettytraders on their pilgrimage to the coast.

At length the market was cleared of sellers and merchandise—

except the ostrich, which, when all was over, reached the Mon-

go's hands as a royal gift from the Ali-mami of Footha Yallon,

the pious father of Ahmah-de-Bellah. The bird, it is true, was

presented as a free offering ; yet it was hinted that the worthyAli stood in need of reliable muskets, which his son would take

charge of on the journey home. As twenty of those warlike in-

sti-umeuts were dispatched by Ahmah-de-Bellah, the ostrich be-

came rather a costly as well as characteristic gift. Each of the

traders, moreover, expected a "bungee

"or " dash "

of some

sort, in token of good will, and in proportion to his sales;so that

we hastened to comply with all the common-law customs of the

country, in order to liberate Baugalang from the annoyingcrowd. They dropped off rapidly as they were paid ;

and in a

short time Ahmah-de-Bellah, his wives, and immediate followers,

were all that remained of the seven hundred Fullahs.

Ahmah-de-Bellah was a fine specimen of what may be con-

sidered "Young Africa." though he can hardly be classed amongthe progressives or revolutionary propagandists of the age In

person he was tall, graceful, and commanding. As the sou of

an important chief, he had been free from those menial toils

which, in that climate, soon obliterate all intellectual character-


istics. His face was well formed for an African's. His high

and broad brow arched over a straight nose, while his lipe had

nothing of that vulgar grossncss which gives so sensual an expres-

sion to his countrymen. Ahmah's manners to strangers or supe-

riors were refined and courteous in a remarkable degree ;but to

the mob of the coast and inferiors generally, he manifested that

harsh and peremptory tone which is common among the savages

of a fier}- clime.

Ahmah-de-Bellah was second sou of the Ali-niami, or Kingof Footha-Yallou, who allowed him to exercise the prerogative

of leading for the first time, a caravan to the seaboard, in honor

of attaining the discreet age of "twenty four rainy seasons."

The privilege however, was not granted without a view to profit

by the courage of his own blood;for the Ali-mami was never

known to suffer a son or relative to depart from his jurisdiction

without a promise of half the products of the lucrative enter

prise.

The formation of a caravan, when the king's permission has

been finally secured, is a work of time and skill. At the begin-

ning of the "dry season," the privileged chieftain departs with

power of life and death over his followers, and "squats" in one

of the most frequented•'

paths" to the sea, while he dispatches

small bauds of daring retainers to other trails throughout the

neighborhood, to blockade every passage to the beach. The siege

of the highways is kept up with vigor for a month or more, bythese black Rob Eoys and liobin Hoods, until a sufficient number

of traders may be trapped to constitute a valuable caravan, and give

importance to its leader. While this is the main purpose of the

forest-adventure, the occasion is taken advantage of to collect a

local tribute, due by small tribes to the Ali, which could not be

obtained otherwise. The despotic ofiicer, moreover, avails him-

self of the blockade to stop malefactors and absconding debtors.

Goods that are seized in the possession of the latter may be se-

questrated to pay his creditors;but if their value is not equal

to the debt, the delinquent, if a pagan, is sold as a slave, but ia

let off with a bastinado, if he proves to be " one of the faith-

ful."

9C CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

It is natural to suppose tliat every effort is made by tha

small traders of the interior to avoid these savage press-gangs.

The poor -wretches are not only subjected to annoying vassalage

by ruffian princes, but the blockade of the forest often diverts

them from the point they originall}' designed to reach,—forces

them to towns or factories they had no intention of visiting,—

and, by extreme delay, wastes their provisions and diminishes

their frugal profits. It is surprising to see huw admirably even

savages understand and exercise the powers of sovereignty and

the rights of transit !

While x\.hmah-dc-Bellah tarried at Bangalang, itwas my habit

to visit him every night to hear his interesting chat, as it was

translated by an interpreter. Sometimes, in return, I would

recount the adventures of my sea-faring life, which seemed to

have a peculiar flavor for this child of the wilderness, who now

gazed for the first time on the ocean. Among other things, I

strove to convince him of the world's rotundity ; but, to the last,

he smiled incredulously at my daring assertion, and closed the

argument by asking me to prove it from the Koran ? He al-

lowed me the honors due a traveller and " book-man;

" but a

mind that had swallowed, digested, and remembered every text

of Mahomet's volume, was not to be deceived by such idle fanta-

sies. He kindly undertook to conquer my ignorance of his creed

by a careful exposition of its mysteries in several long-winded

lectures, and I was so patient a listener, that I believe Ahmahwas entirely satisfied of my convei'sion.

My seeming acquiescence was well repaid by the FuUah's

confidence. He returned my nightly calls with interest, and,

visiting me in the warehouse during hours of business, became

so fervently wrapped up in my spiritual salvation, that he would

spout Mahometanism for hours through an interpreter. To

get rid of him, one day, I promised to follow the Prophetwith pleasure if he consented to receive me

;but I insisted on

entering the " fold of the faithful" without submitting to the

peculiar rite of Mussulman baptism !

Ahmah-de-Bellah took the jest kindly, laughing like a good


fellow, and from that day forward, we were sworn cronies. The

Fullah at once wrote down a favorite prayer in Arabic, requiring

as my spiritual guide, that I should commit it to memory for

constant and ready use. After a day or two, he examined me

in the ritual; but, finding I was at fault after the first sentence,

reproached me pathetically upon my negligence and exhorted

me to repentance,—much to the edification of our interpreter,

who was neither Jew, Christian, nor Mussulman.

But the visit of the young chieftain, which btgan in trade

and tapered off in piety, drew to a close. Ahmah-de-Bellah

began to prepare for his journey homeward. As the day of de-

parture approached, I saw that my joke had been taken seriously

by the Fullah, and that he rdicd upon my apostasy. At the

last moment, Ahmah tried to put me to a severe test, by

suddenly producing the holy book, and requiring me to seal our

friendship by an oath that I would never abandon Islamism. I

contrived, however, adroitly to evade the afiirmation by feigning

an excessive anxiety to acquire more profound knowledge of the

Koran, before I made so solemn a pledge.

It came to pass that, out of the forty slaves brought in the

caravan, the Mongo rejected eight. After some altercation,

Ahmah-de-Bellah consented to discard seven;but he insisted

that the remaining veteran should be shipped, as he could neither

kill nor send him back to Footha-Yallon.

I was somewhat curious to know the crime this culprit had

committed, which was so heinous as to demand his perpetual

exile, though it spared his life. The chief informed me that the

wretch had slain his son; and, as there was no punishment for

such an offence assigned by the Koran, the judges of his coun-

try condemned him to be sold a slave to Christians^—a penalty

they considered worse than death.

Another curious feature of African law was developed in the

sale of this caravan. I noticed a couple of women drawn along

with ropes around their necks, while others of their sex and class

were suffered to wander about without bonds. These females,

the chief apprised us, would have been burnt in his father's do


mains for witchcraft, had not his venerable ancestor been so

much distressed for powder that he tliought their lives would be

more valuable to his treasury than their carcasses to outraged

law.

It was a general complaint among the companions of Ahmah-

de-Bellah that the caravan was scant of slaves in consequence of

this unfortunate lack of powder. The young chieftain promised

better things in future. Next year, the Mjngo's barracoons

should teem with his conquests. When the "rainy season

"

approached, the Ali-mami, his father, meant to carry on a

'•

great war "against a variety of small tribes, whose captives

would replenish the herds, that, two years before, had been car-

ried off by a sudden blight.

I learned from my intelligent Fullah, that while the Mahom-

etan courts of his country rescued by law the people of their

own faith from slavery, they omitted no occasion to inflict it, aa

a penalty, upon the African " unbelievers" who fell within their

jurisdiction. Among these unfortunates, the smallest crime is

considered capital, and a "capital crime " merits the profitable

punishment of slavery. Nor was it difl&cult, he told me, for a

country of " true believei's"

to acquire a multitude of bondsmen.

They detested the institution, it is true, among themselves, and

among their own caste, but it was both right and reputable

among the unorthodox. The Koran commanded the "subjuga-

tion of the tribes to the true faith," so that, to enforce the Pro-

phet's order against infidels, they resorted to the white man's

cupidity, which authorized its votaries to enslave the negro ! Myinquisitiveness prompted me to demand whether these holy wars

spoken of in the Koran were not somewhat stimulated, in our

time, at least, by the profits that ensued;and I even ventured

to hint that it was questionable whether the mighty chief of

Footha-Yallon would willingly storm a Kafiir fortification, were

he not prompted by the booty of slaves !

Ahmah-de-Bellah was silent for a micute, when his solemn

face gradually relaxed into a quizzical smile, as he rejdicd that,

in truth, Mahometans were no worse than Christians, so that it

was quite likely,—if the white elect of heaven, who knew how to

TWENTV YBARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. ^'i

make powder and guns, did not tempt the black man with .their

weapons,—the commands of Allah would be followed with less

zeal, and implements not quite so dangerous !

I could not help thinking that there was a good deal of quiet

satire in the gossip of this negro prince. According to the cus-

tom of his country, we "exchanged names "

at parting ;and

while he put in my pocket the gift of a well-thumbed Koran, I

slung over his shoulder a doubhbarrcUed gun. We walked side

by side for some miles into the forest, as he went forth from

Bangalang ;and as we " cracked fingers

"for farewell, I prom-

ised, with my hand on my heart, that the " next dry season "I

would visit his father, the venerable Ali-mami, in his realm of

Footha-Yallon.


CHAPTER X.

I WAS a close watcher of Mongo John whenever he engaged in

the purchase of slaves. As each negro was brought before him,Ormond examined the subject, without regard to sex, from head

to foot. A careful manipulation of the chief muscles, joints,

armpits and groins was made, to assure soundness. The mouth,

too, was inspected, and if a tooth was missing, it was noted as a

defect liable to deduction. Eyes, voice, lungs, fingers and toes

were not forgotten ;so that when the negro passed from the

Mongo's hands without censure, he might have been readily

adopted as a good"

life"by an insurance company.

Upon one occasion, to my great astonishment, I saw a stout

and apparently powerful man discarded by Ormond as utterly

worthless. His full muscles and sleek skin, to my unpractised

eye, denoted the height of robust health. Still, I was told that

he had been medicated for the market with bloating drugs, and

sweated with powder and lemon-juice to impart a gloss to his

skin. Ormond remarked that these jockey-tricks are as commonin Africa as among horse-dealers in Christian lands

;and desir-

ing me to feel the negro's pulse, I immediately detected disease

or excessive excitement. In a few days I found the poor wretch,abandoned by his owner, a paralyzed wreck in the hut of » vil-

lager at Bangalang.

3«O

ow

mQ

5Ô


When a slave becomes useless to his master in the interior,

or exhibits signs of failing constitution, he is soon disposed of to

a peddler or broker. These men call to their aid a quack, familiar

with drugs, who, for a small compensation, undertakes to refit an

impaired body for the temptation of green-horns. Sometimes

the cheat is successfully effected;but experienced slavers detect

it readily by the yellow eye, swollen tongue, and feverish skin.

After a few more lessons, I was considered by the MongosuflBciently learned in the slave traffic to be intrusted with the

sole management of his stores. This exemption from commerce

enabled him to indulge more than ever in the use of ardent

spirits, though his vanity to be called "king," still prompted

him to attend faithfully to all the "country palavers ;

"—and,

let it be said to his credit, his decisions were never defective in

judgment or impartiality.

After I had been three months occupied in the multifarious

intercourse of Bangalang and its neighborhood, I understood the

language well enough to dispense with the interpreter, who was

one of the Mongo's confidential agents. When my companion

departed on a long journey, he counselled me to make up with

Unga-golah, the }uirem''s cerberus, as she suspected my intimacywith Esther, who would doubtless be denounced to Ormond,unless I purchased the beldame's silence.

Indeed, ever since the night of warning, when the beautiful

quarteroon visited my hovel, I had contrived to meet this charm-

ing girl, as the only solace of my solitude. Amid all the wild,

passionate, and savage surroundings of Bangalang, Esther—the

Pariah—was the only golden link that still seemed to bind meto humanity and the lands beyond the seas. On that burning

coast, I was not excited by the stirring of an adventurous life,

nor was my young heart seduced and bewildered by absorbingavarice. Many a night, when the dews penetrated my flesh, as

I looked towards the west, my soul shrank from the selfish

wretches around me, and went off in dreams to the homes I had

abandoned. When I came back to myself,—when I was forced

to recognize my doom in Africa,—when I acknowledged that my

lot had been cast, perhaps unwisely, by myself, my spirit turned,

96 CAPTAIN CANOT'

like the worm from the crushing heel, and found nothing that

kindled for me with the light of human sympathy, save this out-

eastgirl. Esther was to me as a sister, and when the hint of

her harm or loss was given, I hastened to disarm the only hand

that could inflict a blow. Unga-golah was a woman, and a ropeof sparkling coral for her neck, smothered all her wrongs.

The months I had passed in Africa without illness,—

thoughI went abroad after dark, and bathed in the ri" er during the heat

of the day,—made me believe myself proof against malaria.

But, at length, a violent pain in my loins, accompanied by a

swimming head, warned me that the African fever held me in its

dreaded gripe. In two days I was delirious. Ormond visited

me;but I knew him not, and in my madness, called on Esther,

accompanying the name with terms of endearment. This, I was

told, stirred the surprise and jealousy of the Mongo, who forth-

with assailed the matron of his harem with a torrent of inquiries

and abuse. But Unga-golah was faithful. The beads had sealed

her tongue ;so tliat, with the instinctive adroitness peculiar to

ladies of her color, she fabricated a story which not only quieted

the Mongo, but added lustre to Esther's character.

The credulous old man finding Unga so well disposed towards

his watchful clerk, restored the warehouse to her custody. This

was the height of her avaricious ambition; and, in token of

gratitude for my profitable malady, she contrived to let Esther

become the nurse and guardian of my sick bed.

As my fever and delirium continued, a native doctor, re-

nowned for his skill, was summoned, who ordered me to be

cupped in the African fashion by scarifjdng my back and stom-

ach with a hot knife, and applying plaintain leaves to the wounds.

The operation allayed my pulse for a few hours;but as the

fever came back with new vigor, it became necessary for myattendants to arouse the Mongo to a sense of my imminent dan

ger. Yet Ormond, instead of springing with alacrity to succor

a friend and retainer in affliction, sent for a young man, named

Edward Joseph, who had formerly been in his employment, but

was now settled on his own account in Bangalang.

Joseph proved a good Samaritan. As soon as he dared ven-


ture upon my removal, he took me to his establishment at Kam-

biaând engaged the services of another Mandingo doctor, in

whose absurdities he believed. But all the charms and incanta-

tions pf the savage would not avail, and I remained in a state of

utter prostration and apparent insensibility until morning. As

soon as day dawned, my faithful Esther was again on the field

of action;and this time she insisted upon the trial of her judg-

ment, in the person of an old white-headed woman, who accom-

panied her in the guise of the greatest enchantress of the coast.

A slave, paid in advance, was the fee for which she undertook to

warrant my cure.

No time was to be lost. The floor of a small and close mudhut was intensely heated, and thickly strewn with moistened

lemon leaves, over which a cloth was spread for a couch. Assoon as the bed was ready, I was borne to the hovel, and, covered

with blankets, was allowed to steam and perspire, while my med-

ical attendant dosed me with half a tumbler of a jrreen disgustine

juice which she extracted from herbs. This process of drink-

ing and barbecuing was repeated during five consecutive days,at he end of which my fever was gone. But my convalescence

was not speedy. For many a day, I stalked about, a useless

skeleton, quivering with ague, and afflicted by an insatiable appe-

tite, until a French physician restored me to health by the use

of cold baths at the crisis of my fever.

When I was suflaciently recovered to attend to business,

Mongo John desired me to resume my position in his employ-ment. I heard, however, from Esther, that during my illness,

Unga-golah used her opportunities so profitably in the ware-

house, that there would be sad deficiencies, which, doubtless,

might be thrown on me, if the crone were badly disposed at anyfuture period. Accordingly, I thought it decidedly most prudentto decline the clerkship, and requested the Mongo to recompenseme for the time and attention I had already bestowed on him.

This was refused by the indolent voluptuary ;so we parted with

coolness, and I was once more adrift in the world.

In these great outlying colonies and lodgments of Europeannations in the East Indies and Africa, a stranger is commonly

5

98 CAPTAIN CANOTjOR

welcome to the hospitality of every foreigner. I bad no hesita-

tion, therefore, in returning to the house of Joseph, who, like

myself, had been a clerk of Ormond, and suffered from the pil-

ferings of the matron.

My host, I understood, was a native of London, where he

was born of continental parents, and came to Sierra Leone with

Governor Turner. Upon the death or return of that officer,—I

do not recollect which,—the young adventurer remained in the

colony, and, for a time, enjoyed the post of harbor master. His

first visit to the Rio Pongo was in the capacity of supercargo of

a small coasting craft, laden with valuable merchandise. Josephsucceeded in disposing of his wares, but was not equall}"^ fortu-

nate in collecting their avails. It was, perhaps, an ill-judged

act of the supercargo, but he declined to face his creditors with

a deficient balance-sheet;and quitting

• Sierra Leone for ever,

accepted service with Ormond. For a year he continued in this

employment ; but, at the end of that period, considering himself

sufficiently informed of the trade and language of the river, he

sent a message to his creditors at the British settlement that he

could promptly pay them in full, if they would advance him

capital enough to commence an independent trade. The terms

were accepted by an opulent Israelite, and in a short time Ed-

ward Joseph was numbered among the successful factors of Rio

Pongo.As I had nothing to do but get well and talk, I employed my

entire leisure in acquiring the native language perfectly. The

Soosoo is a dialect of the Mandingo. Its words, ending almost

universally in vowels, render it as glibly soft and musical aa

Italian;

so that, in a short time, I spoke it as fluently as mynative tongue.


CHAPTER XI.

The loth of March, 1827, was an epoch in my life. I re-

member it well, because it became the turning point of mydestiny. A few weeks more of indolence might have forced meback to Europe or America, but the fortune of that day decided

my residence and dealings in Africa.

At dawn of the 15th, a vessel was descried in the oflBng, and,

as she approached the coast, the initiated soon ascertained her

to be a Spanish slaver. But, what was the amazement of the

river grandees when the captain landed and consigned his vessel

to me !

" La Fortuna," the property, chiefly, of my old friend the

Regla grocer, was successor of the Areostatico, which she

exceeded in size as well as comfort. Her captain was charged to

pay me my wages in full for the round voyage in the craft I had

abandoned, and handed me, besides, a purse of thirty doubloons

as a testimonial from his owners for my defence of their propertyon the dreadful night of our arrival. The " Fortuna " was

dispatched to me for an " assorted cargo of slaves," while

200,000 cigars and 500 ounces of Mexican gold, were on board

for their purchase. My commission was fixed at ten per cent.,

and I was promised a command whenever I saw fit to abandon

my residence on the African coast.

Having no factory, or barracoo)i of slaves, and being elevated

to the dignity of " a trader"

in so sudden a manner, I thought

it best to summon all the factors of the river on board tho


schooner, with an offer to divide the cargo, provided they would

pledge the production of the slaves within thirty days. Dispatch

was all-important to the owners, and, so anxious was I to gratify

them, that I consented to pay fifty dollars for every slave that

should be accepted.

After some discussion my offer was taken, and the cargo appor-

tioned among the residents. They declined, however, receiving

any share of the cigars in payment, insisting on liquidation in

gold alone.

As this was my first enterprise, I felt at a loss to know how

to convert my useless tobacco into merchantable doubloons. In

this strait, I had recourse to the Englishman Joseph, who

hitherto traded exclusively in produce ; but, being unable to

withstand the temptation of gold, had consented to furnish a

portion of my required negroes. As soon as I stated the diffi-

culty to Don Edward, he proposed to send the Havanas to his

Hebrew friend in Sierra Leone, where, he did not doubt, they

would be readily exchanged for Manchester merchandise. That

evening a canoe was dispatched to the English colony with the

cigars; and, on the tenth day after, the trusty Israelite appeared

in the Rio Pongo, with a cutter laden to the deck with superior

British fabrics. The rumor of five hundred doubloons disturbed

his rest in Sierra Leone ! -So much gold could not linger in the

hands of natives as long as Manchester and Birmingham were

represented in the colony ; and, accordingly, he coasted the edge

of the surf, as rapidly as possible, to pay me a profit of four

dollars a thousand for the cigars, and to take his chances at the

exchange of my gold for the-sable cargo ! By this happy hit I

was enabled to pay for the required balance of negroes, as well

as to liquidate the schooner's expenses while in the river. I was

amazingly rejoiced and proud at this happy result, because I

learned from the captain that the invoice of cigars was a ma-

licious trick, .palmed off on the Areostatico's owners by her

captain, in order to thwart or embarrass me, when he heard I

was to be intrusted with the purchase of a cargo on the coast.

At the appointed day, La Fortuna sailed with 22-0 human

beings packed in her hold. Throe months afterwards, I received

advices that she safely landed 217 in the bay of Matanzas, and


that their sale yielded a clear profit on the voyage of forty-one

thousand four hundred and thirty-eight dollars.*

* As tlie remler may scarcely credit so large a profit, I Bubjoin an

account of the fitting of a slave vessel from Havana in 1827, and the

liquidation of her voyage in Cuba :—

1.—Expenses Out.

Cost of La Forttna, a 90 ton schooner, . . . $3,700 00

Fitting out, sails, carpenter and cooper's bills, .- 2,500 00Provisions for crew and slaves, . . . . 1,115 00

Wages advanced to 18 men before the mast, . 900 00" " to captain, mates, boatswain, cook, ) ,

,^_.

and steward, . . . .)

200,000 cigars and 500 doubloons, cargo, . . 10,900 00Clearance and hush-money, ..... 200 00

$19,755 00

Commission at 5 per cent,, 987 00

Full cost of voyage out, , . . ,

2.—Expenses Home.

Captain's head-money, at $8 a head.Mate's "

§4 "... .

Second mate and boatswain's head-money, at ?2 eacha head, ........

Captain's wages, .......Fiist mate's wagesSecond mate and boatswain's wages, . ,

Cook and steward's wages, .....Eighteen sailors' wages,

3.—ExTEXSES IN Havana.

Government officers, at $8 per head, .

My commission on 217 slaves, expenses oS,

Consignees' commissions, .....217 slave dresses, at §2 each,Extra expenses of all kinds, say,

Total expenses,

4.—Returns.

Value of vessel at auction

Proceeds of 217 slaves,

$20,742


As I am now fairly embarked in a trade -which absorbed so

many of my most vigorous years, I suppose the reader will not

be loth to learn a little of my experience in the alleged"cruel-

ties" of this commerce

;and the first question, in all likelihood,

that rises to his lips, is a solicitation to be apprised of the em-

barkation and treatment of slaves on the dreaded voyage.An African factor of fair repute is ever careful to select his

human cargo with consummate prudence, so as i.ot only to supplyhis employers with athletic laborers, but to avoid any taint of

disease that may aflfect the slaves in their transit to Cuba or the

American main. Two days before embarkation, the head of

every male and female is neatly shaved; and, if the cargo be-

longs to several owners, each man's brand is impressed on the

body of his respective negro. This operation is performed with

pieces of silver wire, or small irons fashioned into the merchant's

initials, heated just hot enough to blister without burrfing the

skin. When the entire cargo is the venture of but one pro-

prietor, the branding is always dispensed with.

On the appointed day, the barracoon or slave-pen is made

iovous by the abundant " feed" which siffnalizes the negro's

last hours in his native country. The feast over, they are taken

alongside the vessel in canoes;and as they touch the deck, they

are entirely stripped, so that women as well as men go out of

Africa as they came into it—naked. This precaution, it will be

understood, is indispensable; for perfect nudity, during the whole

voyage, is the only means of securing cleanliness and health. In

this state, they are immediately ordered below, the men to the

hold and the women to the cabin, while boys and girls are, dayand night, kept on deck, where their sole protection from the

elements is a sail in fair weather, and a tarpaulin in foul.

At meal time they are distributed in messes of ten. Thirtv

years ago, when the Spanish slave trade was lawful, the captains

were somewhat more ceremoniously religious than at present, and

it was then a universal habit to make the gangs say grace before

meat, and give thanks afterwards. In our days, however, they

dispense with this ritual, and content themselves with a " Viva

la Habana^'' or " hurrah for Havana," accompanied by a clapping

gf hands.

Mi^^^^^B

nnANDING A NEOEE99.

>'»


This over, a bucket of salt water is served to each mess, by

way of "fiugcr glasses

"for the ablution of hands, after which a

kidd,— either of rice, farina, yams, or beans,—

according to the

tribal habit of the negroes, is placed before the squad. In order

to prevent greediness or inequality in the appropriation of

nourishment, the process is performed by signals from a monitor,

whose motions indicate when the darkies shall dip and when

they shall swallow.

It is the duty of a guard to report immediately whenever a

slave refuses to eat, in order that his abstinence may be traced

to stubborness or disease. Negroes have sometimes been found

in slavers who attempted v('luntary starvation; so that, when the

watch reports the patient to be "shamming," his appetite isl

stimulated by the medical antidote of a '• cat." If the slave,!

however, is truly ill, he is forthwith ticketed for the sick-list byd bead or button around his neck, and dispatched to an infirmary

in the forecastle.

These meals occur twice daily,—at ten in the morning and

four in the afternoon,—and are terminated by another ablution.'

Thrice in each twenty-four hours they are served with half a pint

of water. Pipes and tobacco are circulated economically amongboth sexes

;but ?»s each negro cannot be allowed the luxury of a

separate bowl, boys are sent round with an adequate supply,

allowing a few whiffs to each individual. On regular days,—

probably three times a week,—their mouths are carefully rinsed

with vinegar, while, nearly every morning, a dram is given as an

antidote to scurvy.

Although it is found necessary to keep the sexes apart, they

are allowed to converse freely during day while on deck. Cor-

poral punishment is never inflicted save by order of an officer,

and, even then, not until the culprit understands exactly why it

is done. Once a week, the ship's barber scrapes their chins

without assistance from soap ; and, on the same day, their nails

are closely pared, to insure security from harm in those nightly

battles that occur, when the slave contests with his neighbor

every inch of plank to which he is glued. During afternoons of

serene weather, men, women, girls, and boys are allowed to unite


in African melodies, whic^ tney always enhance "by an extempo-raneous tom-tom on the bottom of a tub or tin kettle.

These hints will apprise the reader tliat tlie greatest care,

compatible with safety, is taken of a negro's health and cleanli-

ness on the voyage. In every wellconductcd slaver, the captain,

officers, and crew, are alert and vigilant to preserve the cargo.

It is their personal interest, as well as the interest of humanityto do so. The boatswain is incessant in his patrol of purifica-

tion, and disinfecting substances are plenteously distributed.

The upper deck is washed and swabbed daily ;the slave deck is

scraped and holy-stoned ; and, at nine o'clock each morning, the

captain inspects every part of his craft;so that no vessel, except

a man-of-war, can compare with a slaver in systematic order,

purity, and neatness. I am not aware that the ship-fever, which

sometimes decimates the emigrants from Europe, has ever pre-

vailed in these African traders.

At sundown, the process of stowing the slaves for the nightis begun. The second mate and boatswain descend into the

hold, whip in hand, and range the slaves in their regular places ;

those on the right side of the vessel facing forward, and lyingin each other's lap, while those on the left are similarly stowed

with their faces towards the stern. In this way each negro lies

on his right side, which is considered preferable for the action of

the heart. In allotting places, particular attention is paid to

size, the taller being selected for the greatest breadth of the

vesEfel, while the shorter and younger are lodged near the bows.

When the cargo is large and the lower deck crammed, the super-

numeraries are disposed of on deck, which is securely covered

with boards to shield them from moisture. The strict discipline

of nightly stowage is, of course, of the greatest importance in

slffvers, else every negro would accommodate himself as if he

were a passenger.

In order to insure perfect silence and regularity during night,

a slave is chosen as constable from every ten, and furnished with

a "cat

"to enforce commands during his appointed watch. In

remuneration for his services, which, it may be believed, are

admirably performed whenever the whip is required, he is adorned


with an old shirt or tarry trowscrs. Now and then, billets of

wood are distributed among the sleepers, but this luxury is never

granted until the good temper of the negroes is ascertained, for

slaves have often been tempted to mutiny by the power of armingthemselves with these pillows from the forest.

It is very probable that many of my readers will consider it

barbarous to make slaves lie down naked upon a board, but let

me inform them that native Africans are not familiar with the

use of feather-beds, nor do any but the free and rich in their

mother country indulge in the luxury even of a mat or raw- hide.

Among the Mandingo chiefs,—the most industrious and civilized

of Africans,—the beds, divans, and sofas, arc heaps of mud,

covered with untanncd skins for cushions, while logs of wood

serve for bolsters ! I am of opinion, therefore, that emigrantslaves experience very slight inconvenience in lying down en the

deck.

But ventilation is carefully attended to. The hatches and

bulkheads of every slaver are grated, and apertures are cut

about the deck for ampler circulation of air. Wind-sails, too, are

constantly pouring a steady draft into the hold, except during a

chase, when, of course, every comfort is temporarily sacrificed

for safety. During calms or in light and baffling winds, when the

suffocating air of the tropics makes ventilation Impossible, the

gratings arc always removed, and portions of the slaves allowed

to repose at night on deck, while tlic crew is armed to watch the

sleepers.

Handcuffs are rarely used on shipboard. It is the commoncustom to secure slaves in the harracoons^ and while shipping,

by chaining ten in a gang ;but as these platoons would be ex-

tremely inconvenient at sea, the manacles are immediately taken

off and replaced by leg-irons, which fasten them in pairs by the

feet. Shackles are never used but for fuUgroion incn^ while

women and boys are set at liberty as soon as they embark. It

frequently happens that when the behavior of male slaves war-

rants their freedom, they arc released from all fastenings longbefore they arrive. Irons are altogether dispensed with on manyBiazilia7i slavers, as negroes from Anjuda, Benin, and Angola,


are mild; and unaddicted to revolt like those who dwell east of

the Cape or north of the Gold Coast. Indeed, a knowing tradef

will never use chains but when compelled, for the longer a slave

is ironed the more he deteriorates; and, as his sole object is to

land a healthy cargo, pecuniary interest, as well as natural feel-

ing, urges the sparing of metal.

My object in writing this palliative description is not to excul-

pate the slavers or their commerce, but to correc'^ those exagger-ated stories which have so long been current in regard to the

usual voyage of a trader. I have always believed that the cause

of humanity, as well as any other cause, was least served byover-statement

;and I am sure that if the narratives given by

Englishmen are true, the voj-ages they detail must either have

occurred before my day, or were conducted in British vessels,

while her majesty's subjects still considered the traffic lawful.*

* The treaty with Spain, which was designed by Great Biitain to endthe slave trade, failed utterly to produce the desired result.

All profitable trade,—

illicit, contraband, or what not,—will be carried

on by avaricious men, as long as the temptation continues. Accordingly,whenever a trade becomes forced, the only and sure result of violent

restriction is to imperil still more both life and cargo.let.—The treaty with Spain, it is .said, was enforced some time before

it was properly promulgated or notified;

so that British cruisers seized

over eighty vessels, one third of which certainly were not designed for

sLive-trade.

2d.—As the compact condemned slave vessels to be broken up, the

sailing qualities of craft were improved to facilitate escape, rather thaninsure human comfort.

yd.—The Spanish slavers had recourse to Brazilians and Portuguese to

cover their property; and, as slavers could not be fitted out in Cuba, other

nations sent their vessels ready equipped to Africa, and (under tlie jib-booms of cruisers) Sardiuians, Frenchmen and Americans, transferred themto slave traders, while the captains and parts of the crew took passage homein regular merchantmen.

4th.—As the treaty created greater risk, every method of economy wasresorted to

;and the crowding and cramming of slaves was one of the

most prominent results. Water and provisions were diminished; and

every thing was sacrificed for gain.


CHAPTER XII.

In old times, before treaties made slave-trade piracy, the land-

ing of human cargoes was as comfortably conducted as the dis-

embarkation of flour. But now, the enterprise is effected with

secrecy and hazard. A wild, uninhabited portion of the coast,

where some little bay or sheltering nook exists, is commonlyselected by the captain and his confederates. As soon as the

vessel is driven close to the beach and anchored, her boats are

packed with slaves, while the craft is quickly dismantled to avoid

detection from sea or land. The busy skiffs are hurried to and

fro incessantly till the cargo is entirely ashore, when the secured

gang, led by the captain, and escorted by armed sailors, is rapid-

ly marched to the nearest plantation. There it is safe from the

rapacity of local magistrates, who, if they have a chance, imitate

their superiors by exacting ''gratifications.''''

In the mean time, a courier has been dispatched to the

owners in Havana, Matanzas, or Santiago dc Cuba, who imme-

diately post to the plantation with clothes for the slaves and gold

for the crew. Preparations arc quickly made through brokers

for the sale of the blacks; while the vessel, if small, is disguised,

to warrant her return under the coasting flag to a port of clear

ance. If the craft happens to be large, it is considered perilous

to attempt a return with a cargo, or " in distress,'^ and, accord-

ingly, she is either sunk or burnt where she lies.

108 CAPTAiN CANOT; OR,

When the genuine African reaches a plantation for the first

time, he fancies himself in paradise. He is amazed by the

generosity with which he is fed with fruit and fresh provisions.

His new clothes, red cap, and roasting blanket (a civilized

superfluity he never dreamed of), strike him dumb with delight,

and, in his savage joy, he not only forgets country, relations,

and friends, but skips about like a monkey, while he dons his

garments wrongside out or hind-part before ! The arrival of a

carriage or cart creates no little confusion among the Ethiopian

groups, who never imagined that beasts could be made to work.

But the climax of wonder is reached when that paragon of oddi-

ties, a Cuban postilion, dressed in his sky-blue coat, silver-

laced hat, white breeches, polished jack-boots, and ringing spurs,

leaps from his prancing quadruped, and bids them welcome in

their mother tongue. Every African rushes to "snap fingers

"

with his equestrian brother, who, according to orders, forthwith

preaches an edifying sermon on the happiness of being a white

man's slave, taking care to jingle his spurs and crack his whipat the end of every sentence, by way of amen.

Whenever a cargo is owned by several proprietors, each one

takes his share at once to his plantation; but if it is the pro-

perty of speculators, the blacks are sold to any one who requires

them before removal from the original depot". The sale is, of

course, conducted as rapidly as possible, to forestall the inter-

ference of British officials with the Captain-General.

Many of the Spanish Governors in Cuba have respected

treaties, or, at least, promised to enforce the laws. Squadronsof dragoons and trooiDS of lancers have been paraded with con-

venient delay, and ordered to gallop to plantations designated

by the representative of England. It generally happens, how

ever, that when the hunters arrive the game is gone. Scandal

declares that, while brokers are selling the blacks at the depot,

it is not unusual for their owner or his agent to be found

knocking at the door of the Captain-General's secretary. It is

even said that the Captain-General himself is sometimes pre-

sent in the sanctuary, and, after a familiar chat about the happy

lauding of " the contraband,"—as the traffic is amiably called,


the requisite rouleaux are insinuated into the official desk under

the intense smoke of a fragrant cigarillo. The metal is always

considered the property of the Captain -General, but his scribe

avails himself of a lingering farewell at the door, to hint an

immediate and pressing need for" a very small darkey !

" Next

day, the diminutive African docs not appear; but, as it is l>c-

lieved that Spanish officials prefer gold even to mortal flcsli, his

algebraic equivalent is unquestionably furnished iu the shape of

shining ounces !

The prompt dispatch I gave the schooner Fortuna, started

uew ideas among the traders of the 11 io Pongo. so that it was

generally agreed my method of dividing the cargo among differ-

ent factors was not only most advantageous for speed, but pre-

vented monopoly, and gave all an equal chance. At a "grand

palaver" or assemblage of the traders on the river, it was re-

solved that this should be the course of trade for the future.

All the factors, except Ormond, attended and assented;but

we learned that the Mongo's people, with difficulty prevented

him from sending an armed party to break up our deliberations.

The knowledge of this hostile feeling soon spread throughout

the settlement and adjacent towns, creating considerable excite-

ment against Ormond. My plan and principles were approved

by the natives as well as foreigners, so that warning was sent

the Mongo, if any harm befell Joseph and Theodore, it would

be promptly resented. Our native landlord, Ali-Niupha, a

Fouhih by descent, told him boldly, in presence of his people,

that the Africans were " tired of a mulatto Mongo ;

"and, from

that day, his power dwindled away visibly^ though a show of

respect was kept up in consequence of his age and ancient im-

portance.

During these troubles, the Arcostatico returned to my con-

signment, and in twenty-two days was dispatched with a choice

'cargo of Mandingos,—a tribe, which had become fashionable for

house servants among the Havanese. But the luckless vessel

was never heard of, and it is likely she went down in some of

the dreadful gales that scourged the coast immediately after her

departure.

110 CAPTAIN OANOT ; OR,

CHAPTER XIII.

I HAD now grown to such sudden importance among the natives,

that the neighboring chiefs and kings sent me daily messages

of friendship, with trifling gifts that I readily accepted. One

of these bordering lords, more generous and insinuating than

the rest, hinted several times his anxiety for a closer connection

in affection as well as trade, and, at length, insisted upon becom-

ing my father-in-law !

I had always heard in Italy that it was something to receive

the hand of a princess, even after long and tedious wooing ;but

now that I was surrounded by a mob of kings, who absolutely

thrust their daughters on me, I confess I had the bad taste not

to leap with joy a': the royal offering. Still, I was in a difficult

position, as no graver offence can be given a chief than to reject

his child. It is so serious an insult to refuse a wife, that, high

born natives, in order to avoid quarrels or war, accept the tender

boon, and as soon as etiquette permits, pass it over to a friend or

relation. As the offer was made to me personally by the king, I

found the utmost difficulty in escaping. Indeed, he would re-

ceive no excuse. When I declined on account of the damsel's

youth, he laughed incredulously. If I urged the feebleness of

my health and tardy convalescence, he insisted that a regular life

of matrimony was the best cordial for an impaired constitution.

In fact, the paternal solicitude of his majesty for my doubloons

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 1 1 I

was SO urgent that I was on the point of yielding myself a

patient sacrifice, when Joseph came to my relief with the oflfer

of his hand as a substitute.

The Gordian knot was cut. Prince Yungee in reality did not

care so much who should be his son-in-law as that he obtained

one with a white skin and plentiful purse. Joseph or Theodore,

Saxon or Italian, made no diflference to the chief; and, as is the

case in all Oriental lands, the opinion of the lady was of no im-

portance whatever.

I cannot say that my partner viewed this matrimonial pro-

ject with the disgust that I did. Perhaps he was a man of

aiore liberal philosophy and wider views of human brotherhood;

at any rate, his residence in Africa gave him a taste not only for

its people, habits, and superstitions, but he upheld practical

amalgamation with more fervor and honesty than a regular

abolitionist. Joseph was possessed by Africo-mania. He ad-

mired the women, the men, the language, the cookery, the music.

He would fall into philharmonic ecstasies over the discord of a

bamboo tomtom. I have reason to believe that even African

barbarities had charms for the odd Englishman ;but he was

chiefly won by the dolcefar niente of the natives, and the Oriental

license of polygamy. In a word, Joseph had the same taste for a

full blooded cuffee, that an epicure has for the haul gout of a

stale partridge, and was in ecstasies at my extrication. He ncglected his siestas and his accounts

;he wandered from house to

bouse with the rapture of an impatient bridegroom ; and, till

every thing was ready for the nuptial rites, no one at the factory

had a moment's rest.

As the bride's relations were eminent folks on the upper partof the river, they insisted that the marriage ceremony should be

performed with all the honorable formalities due to the lady's

rank. Esther, who acted as vi\y mentor in every"country-ques-

tion," suggested that it would be contrary to the Englishman'sinterest to ally himself with a family whose only motive was sor-

did. She strongly urged that if he persisted in taking the girl,

he should do so without a "colungcc^'' or ceremonial fe-ist. But

Joseph was obstinate as a bull;and as he doubted whether he

112 CAPTAIN CANOT

would ever commit matrimony again, he insisted that the nup'tials should be celebrated with all the fashionable splendor of

high life in Africa.

When this was decided, it became necessary, by a fiction

of etiquette, to ignore the previous offer of the bride, and to

begin anew, as if the damsel were to be sought in the most deli-

cate way by a desponding lover. She must be demanded for-

mally, by the bridegroom from her reluctant mother;and accord-

ingly, the most respectable matron in our colony was chosen by

Joseph from his colored acquaintances to be the bearer of his

valentine. In the present instance, the selected Cupid was the

principal wife of our native landlord, Ali-Niupha ; and, as Afri-

cans as well as Turks love by the pound, the dame happened to

be one of the fattest, as well as most respectable, in our parish.

Several female attaches were added to the suite of the ambassa-

dress, who forthwith departed to make a proper"

dantica.''''

The gifts selected were of four kinds. First of all, two demi-

johns of trade-x^^m. were filled to gladden the community of Mou-

, go-Yungee's town. Next, a piece of blue cotton cloth, a musket,a keg of powder, and a demijohn of inire rum, were packed for

papa. Thirdly, a youthful virgin dressed in a white •'teuton-

.gee,"' a piece of white cotton cloth, a white basin, a white sheep,and a basket of white rice, were put up for mamma, in token of her

daughter's purity. And, lastly, a German looking-glass, several

bunches of beads, a coral necklace, a dozen of turkey-red hand-

kerchiefs, and a spotless white country-cloth, were presented to

the bride; together with a decanter of white palm oil for the

anointment of her ebony limbs after the bath, which is never neg-lected by African belles.

While the missionary of love was absent, our sighing swain

devoted his energies to the erection of a bridal palace ;and the

task required just as many days as were employed in the crea-

tion of the world. The building was finished by the aid of bam-

' A tontongee is a strip of white cotton cloth, three inches wide and

four feet long, used as a virgin African's only dress. It is wound round

the limbs, and, hanging partly in front and partly behind, is supportedfrom the maiden's waist by strands of showee-beads.


boos, straw, and a modicum of mud; and, as Joseph imagined

that love and coolness were secured in such a climate byutter darkness, he provided an abundance of that commodity by

omitting windows entirely. The furnishing of the domicil was

completed with all the luxury of native taste. An elastic four-

poster was constructed of bamboos;some dashing crockery was

set about the apartment for display ;a cotton quilt was cast over

the matted couch;an old trunk served for buroau and ward-

robe; and, as ncgresses adore looking glasses, the largest in our

warehouse was nailed against the door, as the only illuminated

part of the edifice.

At last all was complete, and Jo.seph snapped his fingers with

delight, when the corpulent dame waddled up asthmaticallj ,and

announced with a wheeze that her mission was prosperous. If

there had ever been doubt, there was now no more. The oracu-

lar "/ci7ic/i" had announced that the delivery of the bride to

her lord might take place" on the tenth day of the new

moon."

As the planet waxed from its slender sickle to the thicker

quarter, the impatience of my Cockney waxed with it; but, at

length, the firing of muskets, the twang of horns, and the rattle

of tom-toms, gave notice from the river that Coomba, the bride,

was approaching the quay. Joseph and myself hastily donned

our clean shirts, white trousers, and glistening pumps; and, under

the shade of broad sombreros and umbrellas, proceeded to greet

the damsel. Our fat friend, the matron; Ali-Ninpha, her hus-

band;our servants, and a troop of village ragamuffins, accom-

panied us to the water's brink, so that we were just in lime to

receive the five large canoes bearing the escort of the king and

his daughter. Boat after boat di,sgorgcd its passengers; but, to

our dismay, they ranged themselves apart, and were evidently

displeased. When the last canoe, decorated with flags, containing

the bridal party, approached the strand, the chief of the escort

Bignallcd it to stop and forbade the landing.

In a moment there was a general row—a row, conceivable

only by residents of Africa, or those whose ears have been re-

galed with the chattering of a " wilderness of monkeys." Our


lusty factoUim was astonished. The Cockney aspirated his h''$

with uncommon volubility. We hastened from one to the other

to inquire the cause;nor was it until" near half an hour had

been wasted in palaver, that I found they considered themselves

slighted, first of all because we had not fired a salvo in their

honor, and secondly because we failed to spread mats from the

beach to the house, upon which the bride might place her virgin

feet without defilement ! These were indispensable formalities

among the "upper ten

;

" and the result was that Coomba could

not land unless the etiquette were fulfilled.

Here, then, was a sad dilemma. The guns could be fired in-

stantly ;

—but where, alas ! at a moment's notice, were we to

obtain mats enough to carpet the five hundred yards of transit

from the river to the house ? The match must be broken ofi" !

My crest-fallen cockney immediately began to exculpate him-

self by pleading ignorance of the country's customs,—

assuring

the strangers that he had not the slightest inkling of the require-

ment. Still, the stubborn " master of ceremonies " would not

relax an iota of his rigorous behests.

At length, our bulky dame approached the master of the

bridal party, and, squatting on her knees, confessed her neglect-

ful fault. Then, for the first time, I saw a gleam of hope.

Joseph improved the moment by alleging that he employed this

lady patroness to conduct every thing in the sublimest style im-

aginable, because it was presumed no one knew better than she

all that was requisite for so admirable and virtuous a lady as

CooMBA. Inasmuch, however, as he had been disappointed by

her unhappy error, he did not think the blow should fall on his

shoulders. The negligent matron ought to pay the penalty ; and,

as it was impossible now to procure the mats, she should forfeit

the value of a slave to aid the merry-making, and carry the

bride on her hackfrom the river to her home !

A clapping of hands and a quick marmur of assent ran through

the crowd, telling me that the compromise was accepted. But

the porterage was no sinecure for the delinquent elephant, who

found it difficult at times to get along over African sands even

without a burden. Still, no time was lost in further parley or

TWENTY YEARS OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 115

remonstrance. The muskets and cannon were brought down aiid

exploded; the royal boat was brought to the landing; father,

mother, brothers, and relations were paraded on the strand; tom-

toms and horns were beaten and blown; and, at last, the suffer-

ing missionary waddled to the canoe to receive the veiled form

of the slender bride.

The process of removal was accompanied by much merriment.

Our corpulent porter groaned as she '" larded the lean earth"

beneath her ponderous tread; but, in due course of labor

and patience, she sank with her charge on the bamboo couch of

Master Joseph.

As soon as the bearer and the burden were relieved from

their fatigue, the maiden was brought to the door, and, as her

long concealing veil of spotless cotton was unwrapped from head

and limbs, a shout of admiration went up from the native crowd

that followed us from the quay to tlic hovel. As Joseph re-

ceived the hand of Coomba, he paid the princely fee of a slave to

the matron.

CooMBA had certainly not numbered more than sixteen years,

yet, in that burning region, the sex ripen long before their pallid

sisters of the North. She belonged to the Soosoo tribe, but was

descended from Maudingo ancestors, and I was particularly struck

by the uncommon symmetry of her tapering limbs. Her fea-

tures and head, though decidedly African, were not of that coarse

and heavy cast that marks the lineaments of her race. The

grain of her shining skin was as fine and polished as ebony. Amelancholy languor subdued and deepened the blackness of her

large eyes, while her small and even teeth gleamed with the bril-

liant purity of snow. Her mouth was rosy and even delicate;

and, indeed, bad not her ankles, feet, and wool, manifested the

unfortunate types of her kindred, Coomba, the daughter of

Mongo-Yungce, might have passed for a chef cPccuvrc in black

marble.

The scant dress of the damsel enabled me to be so minute in

this catalogue of her charms; and, in truth, had I not inspected

them closely, I would have violated matrimonial etiquette as

much as if I failed to admire the trousseau and gifts of a brido


at home. Coomba's costume was as innocently primitive aa

Eve's after the expulsion. Like all maidens of her country, she

had beads round her ankles, beads round her waist, beads round

her neck, while an abundance of bracelets hooped her arms from

wrist to elbow. The white tontongce still girdled her loins;

but Coomba's climate was her mantuamaker, and indicated more

necessity for ornament than drapery. Accordingly, Coomba was

obedient to Nature, and troubled heraelf very little about a sup-

ply of useless garments, to load the presses and vex the purse of

her bridegroom.As soon as the process of unveiling was over, and time had

been allowed the spectators to behold the damsel, her mother led

her gently to the fat ambassadress, who, with her companions,

bore the girl to a bath for ablution, anointment, and per-

fuming. While Coomba underwent this ceremony at the hands

of our matron, flocks of sable dames entered the apartment ;

and, as they withdrew, shook hands with her mother, in token

of the maiden's purity, and with the groom in compliment to his

luck.

As soon as the bath and oiling were over, six girls issued

from the hut, bearing the glistening bride on a snow-white sheet

to the home of her spouse. The transfer was soon completed,

and the burden deposited on the nuptial bed. The dwelling was

then closed and put in charge of sentinels;when the plump

plenipotentiary approached the Anglo-Saxon, and handing him

the scant fragments of the bridal dress, pointed to the door, and,

in a ?oud voice, exclaimed :

" White man, this authorizes you to

take possession of your wife !

"

It may naturally be supposed that our radiant cockney waa

somewhat embarrassed by so public a display of matrimonial

happiness, at six o'clock in the afternoon, on the thirtieth day of

a sweltering June. Joseph could not help looking at me with a

blush and a laugh, as he saw the eyes of the whole crowd fixed

on his movements; but, nerving himself like a man, he made a

profound salaam to the admiring multitude, and shaking myhand with a convulsive grip, plunged into the darkness of his

abode. A long pole was forthwith planted before the door, and

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLA /ER. 117

a slender strip of white cotton, about the size of a "tontongce.^^

was hoisted in token of privacy, and floated from the staff like a

pennant, giving notice that the commodore is aboard.

No sooner were these rites over, than the house was sur-

rounded by a swarm of women from the adjacent villages, whose

incessant songs, screams, chatter, and tomtom beatings, drowned

every mortal sound. Meanwhile, the men of the party—whoso

merriment around an enormous bonfire was augmented by abun-

dance of liquor and provisions—amused themselves in dancing,

shouting, yelling, and discharging muskets in honor of the nup-

tials.

Such was the ceaseless serenade that drove peace from the

lovers' pillow during the whole of that memorable night. At

dawn, the corpulent matron again appeared from among the

wild and reeling crowd, and concluding her functions by some

mysterious ceremonies, led forth the lank groom from the dark

cavity of his hot and sleepless oven, looking more like a bewil-

dered wretch rescued from drowning, than a radiant lover fresh

from his charmer. In due time, the bride also was brought forth

by the matrons for the bath, where she was anointed from head

to foot with a vegetable butter,—whose odor is probably more

asrceable to Africans than Americans,—and fed with a bowl of

broth made from a young and tender pullet.

The marriage fetes lasted three days, after which I insisted

that Joseph should give up nonsense for business, and sobered

his ecstasies by handing him a wedding-bill for five hundred and

fifty dollars.

There is hardly a doubt that he considered Coomba very

dear^ if not absolutely adorable !

lis CAPTAIN canot; oe»

[CHAPTER XIV.

I AM sorry to say that my colleague's honeymoon did not last

long, although it was not interrupted by domestic discord. Oneof his malicious Sierra Leone creditors, who had not been dealt

with quite as liberally as the rest, called on the colonial gover-nor of that British establishment, and alleged that a certain

Edward Joseph, an Englishman, owned a factory on the Rio

Pongo, in company with a Spaniard, and was engaged in the

slave trade !

At this the British lion, of course, growled in his African

cage, and bestirred himself to punish the recreant cub. An ex-

pedition was forthwith fitted out to descend upon our little estab-

lishment; and, in all likelihood, the design would have been

executed, had not our friendly Israelite in Sierra Leone sent us

timely warning. No sooner did the news arrive than Josephembarked in a slaver, and, packing up his valuables, togetherwith sixty negroes, fled from Africa. His disconsolate bride

was left to return to her parents.

As the hostile visit from the British colony was hourly ex-

pected, I did not tarry long in putting a new face on Kambia.

Fresh books were made out in my name exclusively ;their dates .

were carefully suited to meet all inquiries ;and the townspeople


were prepared to answer impertinent questions; so that, when

Lieutenant Fiudlay, of Her Britannic Majesty's naval service,

made his appearance in the river, with three boats bearing the

cross of St. George, no man in the settlement was less anxious

than Don Teodore, the Spaniard.When the lieutenant handed me an order from the governor

of Sierra Leone and its dependencies, authorizing him to burn or

destroy the property of Joseph, as well as to arrest that person-

age himself, I regretted that I was unable to facilitate his patri-

otic projects, inasmuch as the felon was afloat on salt water, while

all his property had long before been conveyed to me by a reg-

ular bill of sale. In proof of my assertions, I produced the in-

strument and the books;and when I brought in our African

landlord to sustain me in every particular, the worthy lieutenant

was forced to relinquish his hostility and accept an invitation to

dinner. His conduct during the whole investigation was that of

a gentleman ; which, I am sorry to say, was not always the case

with his professional countrymen.

During the rainy season, which begins in June and lasts till

October, the stores of provisions in establishments along the

Atlantic coast often become sadly impaired. The Foulah and

Mandingo tribes of the interior are prevented by the swollen

condition of intervening streams from visiting the beach with

their produce. In these straits, the factories have recourse bycanoes to the smaller rivers, which are neither entered by sea-

going vessels, nor blockaded for the caravans of interior chiefs.

Among the tribes or clans visited by me in such seasons,,!

do not remember any whose intercourse afforded more pleasure,

or exhibited nobler traits, than the Bagers, who dwell on the

solitary margins of these shallow rivulets, and subsist by boiling

salt in the dry season and making palm oil in the wet. I have

never read an account of these worthy blacks, whose civility,

kindness, and honesty will compare favorably with those of more

civilized people.

The Bagers live very much apart from the great African

tribes, and keep up their race by intermarriage. The language


is peculiar, and altogetlier devoid of that Italian softness that

makes the Soosoo so musical.

Having a week or two of perfect leisure, I determined to

set out in a canoe to visit one of these establishments, especiallyas no intelligence had reached me for some time from one of mjcountry traders who had been dispatched thither with an invoice

of goods to purchase palm oil. My canoe was comfortably fitted

with a water-proof awning, and provisioiied for a week.A tedious pull along the coast and through the dangerous

surf, brought us. to the narrow creek through whose marshymesh of mayxgroves we squeezed our canoe to the bank. Evenafter landing, we waded a considerable distance through marshbefore we reached the solid land. The Eager town stood somehundred yards from the landing, at the end of a desolate savanna,whose lonely waste spread as far as the eye could reach. The

village itself seemed quite deserted, so that I had difficulty in

finding" the oldest inhabitant," who invariably stays at home

and acts the part of chieftain. This venerable personage wel-

comed me with great cordiality ; and, having made my dmitica,or, in other words, declared the purpose of my visit, I desired to

be shown the trader's house. The patriarch led me at once to a

hut, whose miserable thatch was supported by four posts. HereI recognized a large chest, a rum cask, and the grass hammockof my agent. I was rather exasperated to find my property thus

neglected and exposed, and began venting my wrath in no seemlyterms on the delinquent clerk, when my conductor laid his hand

gently on my sleeve, and said there was no need to blame him."This," continued he, "is his house

;here your property is shel-

tered from sun and rain; and, among the Bagers. whenever your

goods are protected from the elements, they are safe from everydanger. Your man has gone across the plain to a neighboringtown for oil

; to-night he will be back;

—in the mean time, look

at your goods !

"

I opened the chest, which, to my surprise, was unlocked,and found it nearly full of the merchandise I had placed in it.

I shook the cask, and its weight seemed hardly diminished. I

turned the spiggot, and lo ! the rum trickled on my feet.


Hard-by was a temporary shed, filled to the roof with hides and

casks of palm oil, all of which, the gray-beard declared was myproperty.

Whilst making this inspection, I have no doubt the expres-

sion of my face indicated a good deal of wonder, for I saw the

old man smile complacently as he followed me with his quiet

eye." Good !

" said the chief,"

it is all there,—is it not ? We

Bagers are neither Soosoos, Mandingoes, Foulahs, nor White-

men, that the goods of a stranger are not safe in our towns !

We work for a living; we want little; big ships never come to

us, and we neither steal from our guests nor go to war to sell one

another !

"

The conversation, I thought, was becoming a little personal ;

and, with a gesture of impatience, I put a stop to it. On second

thoughts, however, I turned abruptly round, and shaking the

noble savage's hand with a vigor tbat made him wince, presented

him with a piece of cloth. Had Diogenes visited Africa in

search of his man, it is by no means unlikely that he might have

extinguished his lamp among the Bagers !

It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when I arrived in

the town which, as I before observed, seemed quite deserted,

except by a dozen or two ebony antiquities, who crawled into

the sunshine when they learned the advent of a stranger. Th&

young people were absent gathering palm nuts in a neighbor

ing grove. A couple of hours before sundown, my trader re-

turned; and, shortly after, the merry gang of villagers made

their appearance, laughing, singing, dancing, and laden with

fruit. As soon as the gossips announced the arrival of a white

man during th'eir absence, the little hut that had been hospitably

assigned me was surrounded by a crowd, five or six deep, of men,

women, and children. The pressure was so close and sudden

that I was almost stifled. Finding they would not depart until

I made myself visible, I emerged from concealment and shook

hands with nearly all. The women, in particular, insisted on

gratifying themselves with a sumboo or smell at my face,—which

6


is the native's kiss,—and folded their long black arms in an

embrace of my neck, threatening peril to my shirt with their

oiled and dusty flesh. However, I noticed so much hop,-

hommie among the happy crew that my heart would not allow

me to repulse them;

so I kissed the youngest and shunned the

crones. In token of my good-will, I led a dozen or more of

the prettiest to the rum-barrel, and made them happy for the

night.

When the townsfolks had comfortably nestled themselves in

their hovels, the old chief, with a show of some formality, pre-

sented me a heavy ram-goat, distinguished for its formidable

head-ornaments, which, he said, was ofi'ered as a honne-houche, for

my supper. He then sent a crier through the town, informing

the women that a white stranger would be their guest during

the night ; and, in less than half an hour, my hut was visited

by most of the village dames and damsels. One brought a pint

of rice;another some roots of cassava ; another, a few spoon-

fuls of palm oil;another a bunch of peppers ;

while the oldest

lady of the party made herself particularly remarkable by the

gift of a splendid fowl. In fact, the crier had hardly gone his

rounds, before my mat was filled with the voluntary contributions

of the villagers ;and the wants, not only of myself but of my

eight rowers, completely supplied.

There was nothing peculiar in this exhibition of hospitality,

on account of my nationality. It was the mere fulfilment of a

Bather law : and the poorest black stranger would have shared

the rite as well as myself. I could not help thinking that I

might have travelled from one end of England or America to the

other, without meeting a Eager welcome. Indeed, it seemed

somewhat questionable, whether it were better for the English to

civilize Africa, or for the Bagers to send missionaries to their

brethren in Britain !

These reflections, however, did not spoil my appetite, for I

confess a feeling of unusual content and relish when the patriarch

sat down with me before the covered bowls prepared for our sup-

per. But, alas ! for human hopes and tastes ! As I lifted the

lid from the vessel containing the steaming stew, its powerful


fragrance announced the remains of that venerable quadrupedwith which I had been welcomed. It was probably not quite in

etiquette among the IBagers to decline the stew, yet, had starva-

tion depended on it, I could not have touched a morsel. Ac-

cordingly, I forbore the mess and made free with the rice, sea-

soning it well with salt and peppers. But my amiable landlord

was resolved that I should not go to rest with such penitential

fare, and ordered one of his wives to bring her supper to mylodge. A taste of the dish satisfied me that it was edible,

though intensely peppered. I ate with the appetite of an alder-

man, nor was it till two days after that my trader informed

me I had supped so heartily on the spareribs of an alligator !

It was well that the hours of digestion had gone by, for though

partial to the chase, I had never loved " water fowl "of so wild

a cliaracter.

When supper was over, I escaped from the hut to breathe a

little fresh air before retiring for the night. Hardly had I jjut

my head outside when I found myself literally inhaling the mos-

quitoes that swarmed at nightfall over these marshy flats. I

took it for granted that there was to be no rest for me in dark-

ness among the Bagers ; but, when I mentioned my trouble to

the chief, he told me that another hut had already been providedfor my sleeping quarters, where my bed was made of certain

green and odorous leaves which are antidotes to mosquitoes.After a little more chat, he offered to guide me to the hovel, a

low, thickly matted bower, through whose single aperture I

crawled on hands and knees. As soon as I was in, the entrance

was closed, and although I felt very much as if packed in mygrave, I slept an unbroken sleep till day dawn.*

• These Bagers are remarkable for their honesty, as I was convinced

by several anecdotes related, during my stay in this village, by my tradingclerk. lie took me to a neighboring lemon-tree, and exhibited an Englishbrass steelyard hanging on its branches, which had been left there by a

mulatto merchant from Sierra Leone, who died in the town on a trading

trip. This article, with a chest half full of goods, deposited in the "pala-

ver house," had been kept securely more than twelve years in expectationthat some of his friends would send for them from the colony. The Bagera,


My return to the Rio Pongo was attended with consider*

able danger, yet I did not regret the trial of my spirit, as it

enabled me to see a phase of African character which otherwise

might have been missed.

After passing two days among the Bagers, I departed once

more in my canoe, impelled by the stout muscles of the Kroo-men. The breeze freshened as we passed from the river's mouthacross the boiling surf of the bar, but, when ^;e got fairly to sea,

I found the Atlantic so vexed by the rising gale, that, in spiteof waterproof awning and diligent bailing, we were several times

near destruction. Still, I had great confidence in the native

boatmen, whose skill in their skiffs is quite as great as their

dexterity when naked in the water. I had often witnessed their

agility as they escaped from capsized boats on the surf of our bar;

and often had I rewarded them with a dram, when they came,as from a frolic, dripping and laughing to the beach.

When night began to fall around us the storm increased, and

I was told, have no jnjus, feUiches, or gregrecs ;—

they worship no god or

evil spirit ;

—their dead are buried without tears or ceremony ;—and their

hnreafter is eternal oblivion.

The males of this tribe are of middling size and deep black color; broad

shouldered, but neither brave nor warlike. They keep aloof from other

tribes, and by a FuUah law, are protected from foreign violence in con

sequence of their occupation as salt-makers, which is regarded by the in-

terior natives as one of the most useful trades. Their fondness for palmoil and the little work they are compelled to perform, make them general-

ly indolent. Their dress is a single handkerchief, or a strip of countrycloth four or five inches wide, most earefullj'' put on.

The young women have none of the sj-lphlike appearance of the Man

dingoes or Soosoos. They work hard and use palm oil plentifullj' both in-

ternally and externally, so that their relaxed flesh is bloated like blubbej.

Both sexes shave their heads, and adorn their noses and lower lips with

rings, while they penetrate their eqi's with porcupine quills or sticks.

They neither sell nor buy each other, though they acquire children of both

sexes from other tribes, and adopt them into their own, or dispose of themif not suitable. Their avails of work are commonly divided

;so the Bagers

may be said to resemble the Mormons in polygamy, the Fourierites in com-

munity, but to exceed both in honest}- !

I am sorry that their nobler characteristics have so few imitators amongthe other tribes of Africa.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER, 12f

I could detect, by the low chatter and anxious looks of tho

rowers, that they were alarmed. As far as my eye reached

landward, I could descry nothing but a continuous reef on which

the chafed sea was dasliing furiously in columns of the densest

spray. Of course I felt that it was not my dutj-, nor would it

be prudent, to undertake the guidance of the canoe in such cir-

cumstances. Yet, I confess that a shudder ran through mynerves when I saw my "head-man "

suddenly change our course

and steer the skiff directly towards the rocks. On she bounded

like a racer. The sea through which they urged her foamed like

a caldron with the rebounding surf Nothing but wave-lashed

rock was before us. At last I could detect a narupw gap in the

iron wall, which was filled with surges in the heaviest swells.

We approached it, and paused at the distance of fifty feet. Awave had just burst through the chasm like a storming army.

We waited for the succeeding lull. All hands laid still,—not a

word was spoken or paddle dipped. Then came the next enor-

mous swell under our stern;—the oars flew like lightning;

—the

canoe rose as a feather on the crest of the surf;—in a moment

she shot through the cleft and reposed in smooth water near the

shore. As we sped through the gap, I might have touched the

rocks on both sides with my extended arms !

Such is the skill and daring of Kroomen.

126 CAPTAIN CANOT ; OR

CHAPTER XV.

When the rains began to slacken, a petty caravan now and then

straggled towards the coast; but, as I was only a new-comer iu

the region, and not possessed of abundant means, I enjoyed a

slender share of the trade. Still I consoled myself with the hopeof better luck in the dry season.

In the mean time, however, I not only heard of Joseph's safe

arrival at Matanzas, but received a clerk whom he dispatched to

dwell in Kambia while I visited the interior. Moreover, I built

a boat, and sent her to Sierra Leone with a cargo of palm oil, to

be exchanged for British goods; and, finally, during my perfect,

leisure, I went to work with diligence to study the trade in which

fortune seemed to have cast my lot.

It would be a task of many pages if I attempted to give a

full account of the origin and causes of slavery in Africa:. As

a national institution, it seems to have existed always. Africans

have been bondsmen every where : and the oldest monuments bear

their images linked with menial toils and absolute servitude.

Still,' I have no hesitatipn in saying, that three fourths of the

slaves sent abroad from Africa are the fruit of native wars,

fomented by the avarice and temptation of our own race. I

cannot exculpate any commercial nation from this sweeping

censure. We stimulate the negro's passions by the introduction

of wants and fancies never dreamed of by the simple native,


while slavery was an institution of domestic need and comfort

alone. But what was once a luxury has now ripened into an

absolute necessity; so that man, in truth, has become tlie coin

of Africa, and the "legal tender ''''

of a brutal trade.

England, today, with all her philanthropy, sends, under the

cross of St. George, to convenient magazines of laioful commerce

on the coast, her Birmingham muskets, Manchester cottons, and

Liverpool lead, all of which are righteously swapped at Sierra

Leone, Acra, and on the Gold coast, for Spanish or Brazilian

bills on London. Yet, what British merchant does not knowthe traffic on which those bills are founded, and for whose sup-

port his wares are purchased ? France, with her bonnet rougeand fraternity, dispatches her Rouen cottons, Marseilles brandies,

flimsy taflFetas, and indescribable variety of tinsel gewgaws.

Philosophic Germany demands a slice for her looking-glasses and

beads;while multitudes of our own worthy traders, who would

hang a slaver as a pirate when caught, do not hesitate to supplyhim indirectly with tobacco, powder, cotton, Yankee rum, and

New England notions, in order to bait the trap in which he maybe caught

' It is the temptation of these things, I repeat, that

feeds the slave-making wars of Africa, and forms the human

basis of those admirable bills of exchange.

I did not intend to write a homily on Ethiopian commerce

when I begun this chapter ; but, on reviewing the substantial

motives of the traffic, I could not escape a statement which tells

its own tale, and is as unquestionable as the facts of verified his-

tory.

Such, then, may be said to be the predominating influence

that supports the African slave trade; yet, if commerce of all

kinds were forbidden with that continent, the customs and laws

of the natives would still encourage slavery as a domestic afi"air,

though, of course, in a -very modified degree. The rancorous

family quarrels among tribes and parts of tribes, will always

promote conflicts that resemble the forays of our feudal an-

cestors, while the captives made therein will invariably become

serfs.

Besides this, the financial genius of Africa, instead of devising

11


bank notes or the precious metals as a circulating medium, haa

from time immemorial, declared tliat a human creature,—the true

representative and embodiment of labor^

—is the most valuable

article on earth. A man, therefore, becomes the standard of

prices. A slave is a note of hand, that may be discounted or

pawned ;he is a bill o'f exchange that carries himself to his desti-

nation and pays a debt bodily ;he is a tax that walks corporeally

into the chieftain's treasury. Thus, slavery is not likely to be

surrendered by the negroes themselves as a national institution.

Their social interests will continue to maintain hereditary bon-

dage ; they will send the felon and the captive to foreign barra-

coons ; and they will sentence to domestic servitude the orphans

of culprits, disorderly children, gamblers, witches, vagrants,

cripples, insolvents, the deaf, the mute, the barren, and the

faithless. Five-sixths of the population is in chains.'

To facilitate the sale of these various unfortunates or male-

factors, there exists among the Africans a numerous class of bro-

kers, who are as skilful in their traffic as the jockeys of civilized

lands. These adroit scoundrels rove the country in search of

objects to suit different patrons. They supply the body-guard of

princes ; procure especial tribes for personal attendants;furnish

laborers for farms;

fill the harems of debauchees; pay or collect

debts in flesh;and in cases of emergency take the place of

bailiffs, to kidnap under the name of sequestration. If a native

king lacks cloth, arms, powder, balls, tobacco, rum, or salt, and

does not trade personally with the factories on th^ beach, he

employs one of these dexterous gentry to effect the barter;and

thus both British cotton and Yankee rum ascend the rivers from

the second hands into which they have passed, while the slave

approaches the coast to become the ebony basis of a bill of ex-

change !

It has sometimes struck me as odd, how the extremes of so-

ciety almost meet on similar principles ;and how miich some

African shortcomings resemble the conceded civilizations of other

lands !

1 Dr. Lugenbeel's "Sketches of Liberia.": 1853. p. 45, 2d ed.

TWENTY VEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 129

CHAPTER XVI.

The month of November, 18-27, brought the wished-for "dry

season;

" and with it came a message from the leader of a cara-

van, that, at the full of the moon, he would halt in my village

with all the produce he could impress. The runner represented

bis master as bearing a missive from his beloved nephew Amab-

de-Bellah, and declared that he only lingered on the path to swell

his caravan for the profit of my coffers.

I did not let the day pass before I sent an interpreter to greet

my promised guest with suitable presents ;while I took advan-

tage of his delay to build a neat cottage for his reception, inas-

much as no Fullah Mahometan will abide beneath the same roof

with an infidel. I furnished the establishment, according to their

taste, with green hides and several fresh mats.

True to his word, Mami-de-Yong made known his arrival in

my neighborhood on the day when the planet attained its full

diameter. The moment the pious Mussulman, from the high

hills in the rear of my settlement, espied the river winding to the

sea, he turned to the cast, and raising his arms to heaven, and

extending them towards Mecca, gave thanks for his safe arrival

on the beach. After repeated genuflections, in which the earth

was touched by his prostrate forehead, he arose, and taking

the path towards Kambia, struck up a loud chant in honor of

the prophet in which he was joined by the interminable pro-

cession.

6*

'SO • CAPTAIN canot; or,

It -was quite an imposing sight—this Oriental parade and

barbaric pomp. My native landlord, proud of the occasion, as

well as of his Mahometan progenitors, joined in the display. Asthe train approached my establishment, I ordered repeated salutes

in honor of the stranger, and as I had no minstrels or music to

welcome the Fullah, I commanded my master of ceremonies to

conceal the deficiency by plenty of smoke and a dozen more

rounds of rattling musketry.This was the first caravan and the first leader of absolutely

royal pretensions that visited my settlement;

so I lined mypiazza with mats, put a body-guard under arms behind me, deco-

rated the front with fancy flags, and opposite the stool where I

took my seat, caused a pure white sheepskin of finest wool

to be spread for the accommodation of the noble savage. Ad-

vancing to the steps of my dwelling, I stood uncovered as the

Fullah approached and tendered me a silver-mounted gazelle-

horn snuff-bos—the credential by which Amah-de-Bellah had

agreed to certify the mission. Receiving the token with a salaam^

I carried it reverently to my forehead, and passed it to Ali-

Ninpha, who, on this occasion, played the part of my scribe.

The ceremony over, we took him by the hands and led him to

his allotted sheepskin, while, with a bow, I returned to my stool.

According to "country custom," Mami-de-Yong then began

the dantica, or exposition of purposes, first of all invoking

Allah to witness his honor and sincerity." Not only," said

the Mussulman," am I the bearer of a greeting from my dear

nephew Amah-de-Bellah, but I am an envoy from my royal mas-

ter the Ali-mami, of Footha-Yallon, who, at his son's desire, has

sent me with an escort to conduct you on your promised visit to

Timbo. During your absence, my lord has commanded us to

dwell in your stead at Kambia, so that your property may be

safe from the Mulatto Mongo of Bangalang, whose malice

towards your person has been heard of even among our distant

hills !

"

The latter portion of this message somewhat surprised me,

for though my relations with Mongo John were by no means

amicable, I did not imagine that the story of our rupture had

spread so far, or been received with so much sympathy.


Accordingly, -when Mami-de-Yong finished his message, I ap-

proached him with thanks for his master's interest in my wel

fare; and, placing Amah-deBellah's Koran—which I had pre-

viously wrapped in a white napkin—in his hands, as a token of

the nephew's friendship, I retired once more to my seat. Assoon as the holy book* appeared from the folds, Mami-de-Yongdrew a breath of surprise, and striking his breast, fell on his

knees with his head on the ground, where he remained for seve-

ral minutes apparently in rapt devotion. As he rose—his fore-

head sprinkled with dust, and his eyes sparkling with tears—he

opened the volume, and pointed out to me and his people his

own handwriting, which he translated to signify that " Mami-de-

Yong gave this word of God to Amah-de-Bellah, his kinsman."

At the reading of the sentence, all the Fullahs shouted,"Glory

to Allah and Mahomet his Prophet !

"Then, coming forward

again to the chief, I laid my hand on the Koran, and swore bythe help of God, to accept the invitation of the great king of

Footha-Yallon.

This terminated the ceremonial reception, after which I has-

tened to conduct Mami-de-Yong to his quarters, where I pre-

Bented him with a sparkling new kettle and an inkstand, letting

him-understand, moreover, I was speciall}- anxious to know that

all the wants of his attendants in the caravan were completely

satisfied.

Next morning early, I remembered the joy of his nephew

Amah-de-Bellah, when I first treated him to coffee; and deter-

mined to welcome the chief, as soon as he came forth from his

ablutions to prayers, with a cup distilled from the fragrant berry,

I could not have hit upon a luxury more gratifying to the old

gentleman. Thirty years before had he drank it in Timbuctoo,

where it is used, he said, by the Moses-people (meaning the He-

brews), with milk and honey ;and its delicous aroma brought the

well-remembered taste to his lips ere they touched the sable fluid.

Long before Mamide-Yong's arrival, his fame as a learned

"bookman" and extensive traveller preceded him, so that when

he mentioned his travel to Timbuctoo, I begged him to give me

some account of that "capital of capitals," as the Africans call


it. The royal messenger promised to comply as soon as he fin?

ished the morning lessons of the caravan's children. His quar-

ters were filled with a dozen or more of young Fullahs and

Mandingoes squatted around a fire, while the prince sat apart

in a corner with inkstand, writing reeds, and a pile of old manu-

scripts. Ali-Ninpha, our backsliding Mahometan, stood by, pre-

tending devoted attention to Mami's precepts and the Prophet's

verses. The sinner was a scrupulous follower in the presence of

the faithful;but when their backs were turned, I know few

who relished a porker more lusciously, or avoided water with

more scrupulous care. Yet why should I scoff at poor Ali ? Jo-

seph and I had done our best to civilize him !

Mami-de-Yong apologized for the completion of his daily task

in my presence, and went on with his instruction, while the

pupils wrote down notes, on wooden slabs, with reeds and a fluid

made of powder dissolved in water.

I am sorry to say that these Ethiopian Mahometans are but

poor scholars. Their entire instruction amounts to little more

than the Koran, and when they happen to write or receive a

letter, its interpretation is a matter over which many an hour is

toilsomely spent. Mami-de-Yong, however, was superior to most

of his countrymen ;and, in fact, I must record him in my nar-

rative as the mo.st erudite Negro I ever encountered.

HIS TRIP TO TIJIBUCTOO.

True to his promise, the envoy came to my piazza, as &oon as

school was over, and squatting sociably on our mats and sheep-

skins, with a plentiful supply of pipes and tobacco, we formed

as pleasant a little party as was assembled that day on the banks

of the Rio Pongo. Ali-Ninpha acted as interpreter, having pre-

pared himself for the long-winded task by a preliminary dram

from my private locker, out of sight of the noble Mahometan.

Invoking the Lord's name,—as is usual among Mussulnien,—Mami-de-Yong took a long whiff at his pipe, and, receiving

from his servant a small bag of fine sand, spread it smoothlyon the floor, leaving the mass about a quarter of an inch in


thickness. This was his blackboard, designed to serve for

the delineation of his journey. On the •westeruraost margin of

his sand, he dotted a point with his finger for the starting at

Tiuibo. As he proceeded with his track over Africa towards

the grand capital, he marked the outlines of the principal terri-

tories, and spotted the remarkable towns through which he

passed. By a thick or thin line, he denoted the large rivers and

small streams that intercepted his path, while he heaved up the

sand into heaps to represent a mountain, or smoothed it into per-

fect levels to imitate the broad prairies and savannas of the in-

terior. When he came to a dense forest, his snuff-box was

called in requisition, and a pinch or two judiciously sprinkled,

stood for the monarchs of the wood.

Like all Oriental story-tellers, Mami proved rather prolix.

His tale was nearly as long as his travel. He insisted on de-

scribing his reception at every village. At each river he had his

story of difficulty and danger in constructing rafts or building

bridges. He counted the minutes he lost in awaiting the diminu-

tion of floods. Anon, he would catalogue the various fish with

which a famous river teemed; and, when he got fairly into the

woods, there was no end of adventures and hairbreadth escapes

from alligators, elephants, anacondas, vipers, and the fatal tape

snake, whoso bite is certain death. In the mountains he encoun-

tered wolves, wild-asses, hyaenas, zebras, and eagles.

In fact, the whole morning glided away with a geographical,

zoological, and statistical overture to his tour;

so that, when

the hour of prayer and ablution arrived, Mami-de-Yong had

not yet reached Timbuctoo ! The double rite of cleanliness and

faith required him to pause in his narrative; and, apologizing

for the interruption, he left a slave to guard the map while he

retired to perform his religious services.

When the noble FuUah got back, I had a nice lunch prepared

on a napkin in the neighborhood of his diagram, so that he could

munch his biscuits and sugar without halting on his path. Before

he began, however, I took the liberty to offer a hint about the

precious value of time in this brief life of ours, whilst I a.sked

a question or two about the "capital of capitals," to indicate


my eagerness to enter the walls of Timbuctoo. Mami-de-Yong,who was a man of tact as well as humor, smiled at my insinua

tion, and apologizing like a Christian for the natural tediousness

of all old travellers, skipped a degree or two of the wilderness,

and at once stuck his buffalo-horn snuff-box into the eastern

margin of the sand, to indicate that he was at his journey's end.

Mami had visited many of the European colonies and Moor-

ish kingdoms on the north coast of Africa, so that he enjoyedthe advantage of comparison, and, of course, was not stupefied

by the untravelled ignorance of Africans who consider Timbuctoo

a combination of Paris and paradise. Indeed, he did not pre-

sume, like most of the Mandingo chiefs, to prefer it to Senegalor Sierra Leone. He confessed that the royal palace was nothingbut a vast inclosure of mud walls, built without taste or sym-

metry, within whose labyrinthine mesh there were numerous

buildings for the wives, children, and kindred of the sovereign.

If the royal palace of Timbuctoo was of such a character,—"What," said he,

" were the dwellings of nobles and towns-

folk ?" The streets were paths ;

—the stores were shops ;

—the

suburb of an European colony was sujjei'io?- to their best display !

The markets of Timbuctoo, alone, secured his admiration. .Everyweek they were thronged with traders, dealers, peddlers and

merchants, who either dwelt in the neighboring kingdoms, or

came from afar with slaves and produce. Moors and Israelites,

from the northeast, were the most eminent and opulent mer-

chants;and among them he counted a travelling class, crowned

with peculiar turbans, whom he called "Joseph'speople," or, in

all likelihood, Armenians.

The prince had no mercy on the government of this influen-

tial realm. Strangers, he said, were watched and taxed. In-

deed, he spoke of it with the peculiar love that we would suppose

a Hungarian might bear towards Austria, or a Milanese to

the inquisitorial powers of Lombardy. In fact, I found that,

despite of its architectural meanness, Timbuctoo was a great

central mart for exchange, and that commercial men as well as

the innumerable petty kings, frequented it not only for the

abundant mineral salt in its vicinity, but because they could ex


change their slaves for foreign merchandise. I asked tho Ful-

lah why he preferred the markets of Timbuctoo to the well-stock-

ed stores of regular European settlements on a coast which was

readied with so much more ease than this core of Africa ?

" Ah !

"said the astute trafficker,

" no market is a good one for

the genuine African, in which he cannot openly exchange his

blacks for whatever the original owner or importer can sell with-

out fear ! Slaves, Don Teodorc, are our money !"

The answer solved in my mind one of the political problemsin the question of African civilization, which I shall probably de-

vclope in the course of this narrative.

136 CAPTAIN CANOT; OB,

CHAPTEE XVII.

Having completed the mercantile negotiations of the caravan,and made my personal arrangements for a protracted absence, I

put the noble Fullah in charge of my establishment, with special

charges to my retainers, clerks, runners, and villagers, to regardthe Mami as my second self I thought it well, moreover, be-

fore I plunged into the wilderness,—

leaving my worldly goodsand worldly prospects in charge of a Mussulman stranger,

—to

row down to Bangalang for a parting chat with Mongo John,in which I might sound the veteran as to his feeling and projects.

Ormond was in trouble as soon as I appeared. He was willing

enough that I might perish by treachery on the road side, yet he

he was extremely reluctant that I should penetrate Africa and

make alliances which should give me superiority over the mono-

polists of the beach. I saw these things passing through his jeal-

ous heart as we talked together with uncordial civility. At part-

ing I told tht Mongo, for the first time, that I was sure my es-

tablishment would not go to decay or suffer harm in my absence,

inasmuch as that powerful Fullah, the Ali-Mami of Footha-Yallon

had deputed a lieutenant to watch Kamba while I travelled,

and that he would occupy my village with his chosen warriors.

The mulatto started with surprise as I finished, and abruptly left

the apartment in silence.

I slept well that night, notwitlistanding the Mongo's dis-

pleasure. My confidence in the Fullah was perfect. Stranger

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFBICAN SLAVER. 137

as he was, I had an instinctive reliance on his protection of myhome, and his guardianship of my person through the wilder-

ncss.

At day-dawn I was up. It was a fresh and glorious morning.As nature awoke in the woods of that primitive world, the mists

stole off from the surface of the water; and. as the first raysshot through the glistening dew of the prodigious vegetation, a

thousand birds sent forth their songs as if to welcome me into

their realm of unknown paths.

After a hearty breakfast my Spanish clerk was furnished with

minute instructions in writing, and, at the last moment, I pre-

sented the FuUah chief to my people as a temporary master to

whom they were to pay implicit obedience for his generous

protection. By ten o'clock, my cai-avan was in motion. It con-

sisted of thirty individuals deputed by Amah-de-Bcllah, headed

by one of his relations as captain. Ten of my own servants

were assigned to carry baggage, merchandise, and provisions;

while Ali-Ninpha, two interpreters, my body servant, a waiter, and

a huuter, composed my immediate guard. In all, tsere were

about forty-five persons.

When we were starting, Mami-de-Yong approached to"snap

fingers," and put in my hands a verse of the Koran in his mas-

ter's handwriting,—"

hospitality to the wearied stranger is the

road to heaven,"—which was to serve mq as a passport among all

good Mahometans. If I had time, no doubt I would have

thought how much more Christian this document was than the

formal paper with which we are fortified by"foreign offices

"

and " state departments," when we go abroad from civilized

lands;

—but, before I could summon so much sentiment, the

FuUah chief stooped to the earth, and filling his hands with dust,

sprinkled it over our heads, in token of a prosperous journey.

Then, prostrating himself with his head on the ground, he bade

us "go our way !

"

I believe I have already said that even the best of African

roads are no better than goat paths, and barely sufficient for the

passage of a single traveller. Accordingly, our train marched

off in single file. Two men, cutlass in hand, armed, besides, with

138 CAPTAIN canot; or

loaded muskets, •went in advance not only to scour the way and

warn us of danger, but to cut the branches and briers that soon

impede an untravelled path in this prolific land. They marched

within hail of the caravan, and shouted whenever we approached

bee-trees, ant-hills, hornet-nests, reptiles, or any of the Ethiopian

perils that are unheard of in our American forests. Behind

these pioneers, came the porters with food and luggage ;the cen

tre of the caravan was made up of women, children, guards, and

followers;while the rear was commanded by myself and the

chiefs, who, whips in hand, 'found it sometimes beneficial to

stimulate the steps of stragglers. As we crossed the neighbor-

ing Soosoo towns, our" imposing train was saluted with dischargesof musketry, while crowds of women and children followed

their "cv/py^'' or "

white-man," to bid him farewell on the border

of the settlement.

For a day or two our road passed through a rolling country,

interspersed with forests, cultivated fields, and African villages,

in which we were welcomed by the generous chiefs with bugneesôr trifling gifts, in token of amity. Used to the scant exercise

of a lazy dweller on the coast, whose migrations are confined to

a journey from his house to the landing, and from the landing to

his house, it required some time to habituate me once more to

walking. By degrees, however, I overcame the foot-sore weari-

ness that wrapped me in perfect lassitude when I sank into myhammock on the first night of travel. However, as we became bet-

ter acquainted with each other and with wood-life, we tripped along

merrily in the shadowy silence of the forest,—

singing, jesting,and praising Allah. Even the slaves were relaxed into familiar-

ity never permitted in the towns;while masters would sometimes

be seen relieving the servants by bearing their burdens. At night-fall the women brought water, cooked food, and distributed ra-

tions;

so that, after four days pleasant wayfaring in a gentle

trot, our dusty caravan halted at sunset before the closed gatesof a fortified town belonging to Ibrahim Ali, the Mandingo chief

of Kya.It was some time before our shouts and beating on the gates

aroused the watchman to answer our appeal, for it was the hour

TWENTY YEAHS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 139

of prayer, and Ibrahim was at his devotions. At last, pestered

by their dalliance, I fired my double-barrelled gun, whose loud

report i knew was more likely to reach the ear of a prayingMussulman. I did not reckon improperly, for hardly had the

echoes died away before the great war-drum of the town was rat-

tled, while a voice from a loophole demanded our business. I

left the negotiation for our entry to the Fullah chief, who forth-

with answered that " the Ah-Mamvs caravan, laden with goods,demanded hospitality ;

" while Ali-Ninpha informed the ques-

tioner, that Don Teodore, the " white man of Kambia,'" craved

admittance to the presence of Ibrahim the faithful.

In a short time the wicket creaked, and Ibrahim himself putforth his head to welcome the strangers, and to admit them, one

by one, into the town. His reception of myself and Ali-Ninphawas extremely cordial

;but the Fullah chief was addressed with

cold formality, for the Mandingoes have but little patience with

the well-known haughtiness of their national rivals.

Ali-Ninpha had been Ibrahim's playmate before he migratedto the coast. Their friendship still existed in primitive sin-

cerity, and the chieftain's highest ambition was to honor the

companion and guest of his friend. Accordingly, his wives and

females were summoned to prepare my quarters with comfort and

luxury. The best house was chosen for my lodging. The

earthen floor was spread with mats. Hides were stretched on

adobe couches, and a fire was kindled to purify the atmosphere.

Pipes were furnished my companions ; and, while a hammockwas slung for my repose before supper, a chosen henchman was

dispatched to seek the fattest sheep for that important meal.

Ibrahim posted sentinels around my hut, so that my slum-

bers were uninterrupted, until Ali-Ninpha roused me with the

]>leasant news that the bowls of rice and stows were smoking on

the mat in the chamber of Ibrahim himself Ninpha knew mytastes and superintoiided the cook. He had often jested at the

" white man's folly," when my stomach turned at some disgust-

ing dish of the country ;so that the pure roasts and broils of

well-known pieces slipped down my throat with the appetite of a

trooper While these messes were under discussion, the savorv

140 CAPTAIN CANOT

steam of a rich stew with a creamy sauce saluted my nostrils,

and, without asking leave, I plunged my spoon into a dish that

stood before my entertainers, and seemed prepared exclusivelyfor themselves. In a moment I was invited to partake of the

honne-houchc ; and so delicious did I find it, that, even at this

distance of time, my mouth waters when I remember the forced-

meat balls of mutton, minced with roasted ground-nuts, that I

devoured that night in the Mandingo town of Kya.But the best of feasts is dull work without an enlivening

bowl. Water alone—pure and cool as it was in this hilly region—did not quench our thirst. Besides this, I recollected the

fondness of my landlord, Ali-Niupba, for strong distillations, and

I guessed that his playmate might indulge, at least privately, in

a taste for similar libations. I spoke, therefore, of " cordial bit-

ters,"—

(a name not unfamiliar even to the most temperate

Christians, in defence of flatulent stomachs,)—and at the same

time producing my travelling canteen of Otard's best, applied it

to the nostrils of the pair.

I know not how it happened, but before I could warn the

Mahometans of the risk they incurred, the lips of the bottle slid

from their noses to their mouths, while upheaved elbows longsustained in air, gave notice that the flask was relishing and the

draft "good for their complaints." Indeed, so appetizing was

the liquor, that another ground-nut stew was demanded; and,

of course, another bottle was required to allay its dyspeptic

qualities.

By degrees, the brandy did its work on the worthy Mahom-etans. "While it restored Ali-Ninpha to his early faith, and

brought him piously to his knees with prayers to Allah, it had a

contrary efiect on Ibrahim, whom it rendered wild and generous.

Every thing was mine;

—house, lands, slaves, and children. Ho

dwelt rapturously on the beauty of his wives, and kissed Ali-

Ninpha in mistake for one of them. This only rendered the

apostate more devout than ever, and set him roaring invocations

like a muezzin from a minaret. In the midst of these orgies, I

stole ofi" at midniglit, and was escorted by my servant to a

delicious hammock.

""WENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 141

It was day-dawn when the caravan's crier aroused me, as he

stood on a house-top calling the faithful to prayer previous to

our departure. Before I could stir, Ali-Ninpha, haggard, sick,

and crest fallen, from his debauch, rolled iuto my chamber, and

begged the postponement of our departure, as it was impossible

for Ibrahim AH to appear, being perfectly vanquished by—" the

bitters !

" The poor devil hiccoughed between his words, and

so earnestly and with so many bodily gyrations implored my in-

terference with the Fullah guide, that I saw at once he was iu no

condition to travel.

As the caravan was my personal escort and designed exclu-

sively for my convenience, I did not hesitate to command a halt,

especially as I was in some measure the cause of my landlord's

malady. Accordingly, I tied a kerchief round my head, covered

myself with a cloak, and leaning very lackadaisically on the

edge of my hammock, sent for the Fullah chief.

I moaned with pain as he approached, and, declaring that I

was prostrated by sudden fever, hoped he would indulge me by

countermanding the order for our march. I do not know

whether the worthy Mussulman understood my case or believed

my fever, but the result was precisely the same, for he assented

to my request like a gentleman, and expressed the deepest sym-

pathy with my sufferings. His next concern was for my cure.

True to the superstition and bigotry of his country, the good-

natured Fullah insisted on taking the management of matters

into his own hands, and forthwith- prescribed a dose from the

Koran, diluted in water, which he declared was a specific remedyfor my complaint. I smiled at the idea of making a drug of

divinity, but as I knew that homoeopathy was harmless under the

circumstances, I requested the Fullah to prepare his physic on

the spot. The chief immediately brought his Koran, and turn-

ing over the leaves attentively for some time, at last hit on the

appropriate verse, which he wrote down on a board with gun-

powder ink, which he washed off into a bowl with clean water. This

was given me to swallow, and the Mahometan left me to the

operation of his religious charm, with special directions to the

servant to allow no one to disturb mv rest.


I have no. doubt that the Fullah ^vas somewhat of a quiz,

and thought a chapter in his Bible a capital lesson after a reck-

less debauch;so I ordered my door to be barricaded, and slept

like a dormouse, until Ibrahim and Ali-Xinpha came thunderingat the portal long after mid-day. They were sadly chopfallen.

Penitence spoke from their aching brows;nor do I hesitate to

believe they were devoutly sincere when they forswore "bitters

"

for the future. In order to allay suspicion, or quiet his con-

science, the Fullah had been presented with a magnificent ram-

goat, flanked by baskets of choicest rice.

"When I sallied forth into the town with the suffering sinners,

I found the sun fast declining in the west, and, although myfever had left me, it was altogether too late to depart from the

village on our journey. I mentioned to Ibrahim a report on the

coast that his town was bordered by a sacred spring known as

the Devil's Fountain, and inquired whether daylight enoughstill remained to allow us a visit. The chief assented

;and as

in his generous fit last night, he had offered me a horse, I now

claimed the gift, and quickly mounted in search of the aqueousdemon.

TWENTY yPARS OF AN ATEICAN SLAVEH. 143

CHAPTER XVIII.

Ah ! what joy, after so anauy years, to be once more in the

saddle in an open country, with a steed of fire and spirit bound-

ing beneath my exhilarated frame ! It was long before I could

consent to obey the summons of our guide to follow him on the path.

When the gates of Kya were behind, and the wider roads opened

invitingly before me, I could not help giving rein to the mettle-

some beast, as he dashed across the plain beneath the arching

branches of maornificent cotton woods. The solitude and the mo-

tion were both delightful. Never, since I last galloped from the

paseo to Atares, and from Atares to El Principe, overlooking

the beautiful bay of Havana, and the distant outline of her

purple sea, had I felt so gloriously the rush of joyous blood that

irecred through my veins like electric fire. Indeed, I know

iii)t how long I would have traversed the woods had not the

jiath suddenly ended at a town, where my Arabian turned of his

own accord, and dashed back along the road till I met my won-

dering companions.

Having sobered both our bloods, I felt rather better prepared

t'nr a visit to the Satanic personage who was the object of our

excursion. About two miles from Kya, we struck the foot of

a steep hill, some three hundred feet in height, over whose

1 44 (CAPTAIN CANOT ; OJX..

shoulder we reached a deep and tangled dell, watered by a slender

stream which was hemmed in by a profusion of shrubbery.

Crossing the brook, we ascended the oj^posite declivity for a short

distance till we approached a shelving precipice of rock, along

whose slippery side the ledgelike path continued. I passed it at

a bound, and instantly stood within the arched aperture of a deep

cavern, whence a hot and sulphurous stream trickled slowly

towards the ravine. This was the fountain, and the demon who

presided over its source dwelt within the cave.

Whilst I was examining the rocks to ascertain their quality,

the guide apprised me that the impish proprietor of these waters

was gifted with a " multitude of tongues," and, in all probability,

would reply to me in my own, if I thought fit to address him.

"Indeed," said the savage,

" he will answer you word for word

and that, too, almost before you can shape your thought in

lau^ruajre. Let us see if he is at home ?"

I called, in a loud voice," Kya !

" but as no reply followed,

I perceived at once the wit of the imposturcj^nd without waiting

for him to place me, took my own position at a spot inside the

cavern, where I knew the echoes would be redoubled. "Now,"

said I," I know the devil is at home, as well as you do ;"

—and,

telling my people to listen, I bellowed, with all my might—

"caffra fure !

" " infernal black one !

"—till the resounding

rocks roared again with demoniac responses. In a moment the

cavern was clear of every African;so that I amused myself

letting off shrieks, howls, squeals, and pistols, until the afrighted

natives peeped into the mouth of the cave, thinking the devil in

reality had come for me in a double-breasted garment of thunder

and lightning. I came forth, however, with a whole skin and so

hearty a laugh, that the Africans seized my hands in token of

congratulation, and looked at me with wonderment, as some

thing greater than the devil himself. Without waiting for a

commentary, I leaped on my Arab and darted down the hill.

" And so," said I, when I got back to Kya," dost thou in

truth believe, beloved Ibrahim, that the devil dwells in those

rocks of the sulphur stream? "

" Why not, brother Theodore ? Isn't the water poison ? Ifyou


drink, will it not physic you ? When animals lick it in the dry

season, do they not die on the margin by scores ? Now, a 'book-

man '

like you, my brother, knows well enough that water alone

can't kill;so that whenever it does, the devil must be in it

;

and, moreover, is it not he who speaks in the cavern ?"

"Good," replied I

;

"but, pry'thee, dear Ibrahim, read me

this riddle : if the devil gets into water and kills, why don't he

kill when he gets into'bitters 1

' "

" Ah !

"said the Ali—"

you white men are infidels and scof-

fers !

" as he laughed like a rollicking trooper, and led me, with

his arm round my neck, into supper." And yet, Don Teodore,

don't forget the portable imp that you carry in that Yankeeflask in your pocket !

"

We did not dispute the matter further. I had been long

enough in Africa to find out that white men made themselves odious

to the natives and created bitter enemies, by despising or ridicul-

ing their errors;and as I was not abroad on a mission of civiliza-

tion, I left matters just as I found them. When I was amon»'

the Mahometans, I was an excellent Mussulman, while, amongthe heathen, I afi"ected considerable respect for their jujus,

gree grees, feitichcs^ snakes, iguanas, alligators, and wooden

images.

Ere we set forth next morning, my noble host caused a gene-rous meal to be dispensed among the caravan. The breakfast

(Consisted of boiled rice dried in the sun, and then boiled attain

with milk or water after being pounded finely in a mortar. This

nutritive dish was liberally served; and, as a new Mongo, I was

tendered an especial platter, flanked by copious bowls of cream

and honey.

It is true Mandingo etiquette, at the departure of an honored

friend, for the Lord of the Town to escort him on his way to

the first brook, drink of the water with the wayfarer, toast a

prompt return, invoke Allah for a prosperous voyage, shake

handt, and snap fingers, in token of friendly adieu. The host

who tarries then takes post in the path, and, fixing his eyes on

the departing guest, never stirs till the traveller is lost in the

folds of the forest, or sinks behind the distant horizon.

7


Such was the conduct of my friend Ibrahim on this occasion

nor was it all. It is a singular habit of these benighted peo-

ple, to keep their word whenever they make a promise ! I dare

say it is one of the marks of their faint civilization; yet I am

forced to record it as a striking fact. When I sallied forth from

the gate of the town, I noticed a slave holding the horse I rode

the day before to the Devil's fountain, ready caprisoned and

groomed as for a journey. Being accompanied by Ibrahim on

foot, I supposed the animal was designed for his return after our

complimentary adieus. But when we had passed at least a mile

beyond the parting brook, I again encountered the beast, whose

leader approached Ali-Ninpha, announcing the horse as a gift

from his master to help me on my way. Ere I backed the

blooded animal, an order was directed to my clerk at Kambia for

two muskets, two kegs of powder, two pieces of blue cotton, and

one hundred pounds of tobacco. I advised my ofi&cial, moreover,

to inclose in the core of the tobacco the stoutest flask be could

find of our fourth proof" bitters I

"

TWENTY YEAlia OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 147

CHAPTER XIX.

The day was cloudy, but our trotting caravan did not exceed

twenty miles in travel. In Africa things are done leisurely, for

neither life, speculation, nor ambition is so exciting or exactingas to make any one in a hurry. I do not recollect to have ever

seen an individual i7i haste while I dwelt in the torrid clime.

The shortest existence is long enough, when it is made up of

sleep, slave-trade, and mastication.

At sunset no town was in sight ;so it was resolved to

bivouac in the forest on the margin of a beautiful brook, where

rice, tea, and beef, were speedily boiled and smoking on the mats.

When I was about to stretch my weary limbs for the nighton the ground, my boy gave me another instance of Ibrahim's

true and heedful hospitality, by producing a grass hammock he

had secretly ordered to be packed among my baggage. With a

hammock and a horse I was on velvet in the forest !

Delicious sleep curtained my swinging couch between two

splendid cotton-woods until midnight, when the arm of our

Fullah chief was suddenly laid on my shoulder with a whisperedcall to prepare for defence or flight. As I leaped to the groundthe caravan was already afoot, though the profouudest silence

prevailed throughout the wary crowd. The watch announced

strangers in our neighborhood, and two guides had been des-


patched immediately to reconnoitre the forest. This was all the

information they could give me.

The native party was fully prepared and alert with spears,

lances, bows and arrows. I commanded my own men to re-

prime their muskets, pistols, and rifles;

so that, when the guides

returned with a report that the intruders were supposed to

form a party of fugitive slaves, we were ready for our customers.

Their capture was promptly determined. Some proposedwe should delay till daylight ;

but Ali-Ninpha, who was a

sagacious old fighter, thought it best to complete the enterprise

by night, especially as the savages kept up a smouldering fire in

the midst of their sleeping group, which would serve to guide us.

Our little band was immediately divided into two squads, one

under the lead of the Fullah, and the other commanded by Ali-

Ninpha. The Fullah was directed to make a circuit until he got

in the rear of the slaves, while Ali-Ninpha, at a concerted signal,

began to advance towards them from our camp. Half an hour

probably elapsed before a faint call, like the cry of a child, was

heard in the distant forest, upon which the squad of my landlord

fell on all-fours, and crawled cautiously, like cats, through the

short grass and brushwood, in the direction of the sound. The

sleepers were quickly surrounded. The Mandingo gave the sig-

nal as soon as the ends of the two parties met and completedthe circle

; and^ in an instant, every one of the runaways, except

two, was in the grasp of a warrior, with a cord around his throat.

Fourteen captives were brought into camp. The eldest of the

party alleged that they belonged to the chief of Tamisso, a town

on our path to Timbo, and were bound to the coast for sale. Ontheir way to the foreign factories, which they were exceedinglyanxious to reach, their owner died, so that they came under the

control of his brother, who threatened to change their destina-

tion, and sell them in the interior. In consequence of this theyfled

; and, as their master would sm-ely slay them if restored to

Tamisso, they besought us with tears not to take them thither.

Another council was called, for we were touched by the

earnest manner of the negroes. Ali-Ninpha and the Fullah were

of opinion that the spoil was fairly ours, and should be divided


in proportion to the men in both parties. Yet, as our road

passed by the objectionable town, it was impossible to carry the

slaves along, either in justice to ourselves or them. In this

Btrait, which puzzled the Africans sorely, I came to their relief,

by suggesting their dispatch to ray factory with orders for the

payment of their value in merchandise.

The proposal was quickly assented to as the most feasible,

and our fourteen captives were at once divided into two gangs, of

seven each. Hoops of bamboo were soon clasped round their

waists, while their hands were tied by stout ropes to the hoops.

A long tether was then passed with a slip-knot through each

rattan belt, so that the slaves were firmly secured to each

other, while a small coil was employed to link them more securely

in a band by their necks. These extreme precautions were

needed, because we dared not diminish our party to guard the

gang. Indeed, Ali-Ninpha was only allowed the two interpreters

and four of my armed people as his escort to Kya, where, itwas

agreed, he should deliver the captives to Ibrahim, to be for-

warded to my factory, while he hastened to rejoin us at the river

Sanghu, where we designed tarrying.

For three days we journeyed through the forest, passing

occasionally along the beds of dried-up streams and across lonely

tracts of wood which seemed never to have been penetrated,

save by the solitary path we were treading. As we were anxious

to be speedily reunited with our companions, our steps were not

hastened;

so that, at the end of the third day, we had not

advanced more than thirty miles from the scene of capture,

when we reached a small Maiuliiigo village, recently built by an

upstart trader, who^ with the common envy and pride of his

tribe, gave our Fullah caravan a frigid reception. A single hut

was assigned to the chief and myself for a dwelling, and the

rage of the Mahometan may readily be estimated by an insult

that would doom him to sleep beneath the same roof with a

Christian !

I endeavored to avert an outburst by apprising the Mandingothat I was a bosom friend of Ali-Ninpha, his countryman and

superior, and begged that he would sufi"er the " head man "of


our caravau to dwell in a house alone. But the impudeni

parvenu sneered at my advice;

" he knew no such person as

AU-Ninpha, and cared not a snap of his finger for a Fullah chief

or a beggarly white man !

"

My body servant was standing by when this tart reply fell

from the Mandingo's lips, and, before I could stop the impetuous

youth, he answered the trader with as gross an insult as an

African can utter. To this the Mandingo replied by a blow over

the boy's shoulders with the flat of a cutlass; and, in a twink-

ling, there was a general shout for " rescue " from all my party

who happened to witness the scene. Fullahs, Mandingoes, and

Soosoos dashed to the spot, with spears, guns, and arrows. The

Fullah chief seized my double-barrelled gun and followed the

crowd;and when he reached the spot, seeing the trader still

waving his cutlass in a menacing manner, he pulled both triggers

at the inhospitable savage. Fortunately, however, it was always

my custom on arriving m friendly towns, to remove the copper

caps from my weapons, so that, when the hammers fell, the gunwas silent. Before the Fullah could club the instrument and

prostrate the insulter, I rushed between them to prevent

murder. This I was happy enough to succeed in;

but I

could not deter the rival tribe from binding *the brute, hand

and foot, to a post in the centre of his town, while the majority

of our caravan cleared the settlement at once of its fifty or sixty

inhabitants.

Of course, we appropriated the dwellings as we pleased, and

supplied ourselves with provisions. Moreover, it was thought

preferable to wait in this village for Ali-Ninpha, than to proceed

onwards towards the borders of the Sanghu.- When he arrived,

on the second day after the sad occurrence, he did not hesitate

to exercise the prerogative of judgment and condemnation always

claimed by superior chiefs over inferiors, whenever they consider

themselves slighted or wronged. The process in this case was

calmly and humanely formed. A regular trial was allowed the

culj^rit. He was arraigned on three charges:— 1. Want of hos-

pitality ;2. Cursing and maltreating a Fullah chief and a white

Mongo ;3. Disrespect to the name and authority of his country-


man and superior, All Ninpha. On all these articles the prisoner

was found guilty ; but, as there were neither slaves nor personal

property by which the ruffian could be mulcted for his crimes,

the tribunal adjudged him to be scourged with fifty lashes, and

to have his" town-fence or stockade destroyed, never to be

rebuilt." The blows were inflicted for the abuse, but the per-

petual demolition of his defensive barrier was in punishment for

refused hospitality. Such is the summary process by which

social virtues are inculcated and enforced among these interior

tribes of Africa !

It required three days for our refreshed caravan to reach tho

dry and precipitous bed of the Sanghu, which I found impossible

to pass with my horse, in consequence of jagged rocks and im-

mense boulders that covered its channel. But the men were

resolved that my convenient animal should not be left behind.

Accordingly, all hands went to work with alacrity on the trees,

and in a day, they bridged the ravine with logs bound together

by ropes made from twisted bark. Across this frail and sway-

ing fabric I urged the horse with difficulty ;but hardly had he

reached the opposite bank, and recovered from his nervous

tremor, when I was surprised by an evident anxiety in the beast

to return to his swinging pathway. The guides declared it to be

an instinctive warning of danger from wild beasts with which the

region is filled; and, even while we spoke, two of the scouts who

were in advance selecting ground for our camp, returned with the

carcasses of a deer and leopard. Though meat had not passed

our lips for five days, wc were in no danger of starvation;the

villages teemed with fruits and vegetables. Pineapples, bana-

nas, and a pulpy globe resembling the peach in form and flavor,

quenched our thirst and satisfied our hunger.

Besides these, our greedy natives foraged in the wilderness

for nourishment unknown, or at least unused, by civilized folks.

They found comfort in barks of various trees, as well as in buds,

berries, and roots, some of which they devoured raw, while

others were cither boiled or made into palatable decoctions with

152 CAPTAIN CANOT] OR,

water that gurgled from every hill. The broad valleys and open

country supplied animal and vegetable" delicacies

" which a

white man would pass unnoticed. Many a time, when I was as

hungry as a wolf, I found my vagabonds in a nook of the woods,

luxuriating over a mess with the unctuous lips of aldermen;

but when I came to analyze the stew, I generally found it to

consist of a " witch's cauldron," copiously filled with snails

lizards, iguanas, frogs and alligators !


CHAPTER XX.

A JOURNEY to the interior of Africa would be a rural jaunt, were

it not so often endangered by the perils of war. The African

may fairly be characterized as a shepherd, whose pastoral life is

varied by a little agriculture, and the conflicts into which he is

seduced, either by family quarrels, or the natural passions of his

blood. His country, though uncivilized, is not so absolutelywild as is generally supposed. The gradual extension of Ma-hometanism throughout t :e interior is slowly but evidently modi-

fying the Negro. An African Mussulman is still a warrior,for the dissemination of faith as well as for the gratification of

avarice; yet the Prophet's laws are so much more genial than

the precepts of paganism, that, within the last half century, the

humanizing influence of the Koran i.« acknowledged by all whoare acquainted with the interior tribes.

But in all the changes that may come over the spirit of manin Africa, her magnificent external nature will for ever remain

the same. A little labor teems with vast returns. The climate

exacts nothing but shade from the sun and shelter from the

storm. Its oppressive heat forbids a toilsome industry, andalmost enforces indolence as a law. With every want supplied,without the allurements of social rivalry, without the temptationsof national ambition or personal pride, what has the African to

do in his forest of palm and cocoa,—his grove of orange, pome

7*


granate andfig,—on his mat of comfortable repose, where the

fruit stoops to his lips without a struggle for the prize,—save to

brood over, or gratify, the electric passions with which his soul

seems charged to bursting !

It is an interesting task to travel through a continent filled

with such people, whose minds are just beginning, here and there,

to emerge from the vilest heathenism, and to glimmer with a

faith that bears wrapped in its unfolded leaves, the seeds of a

modified civilization.

As I travelled in the "dry season," I did not encounter

many of the discomforts that beset the African wayfarer in

periods of rain and tempest. I was not obliged to flounder

through lagoons, or swim against the current of perilous rivers.

We met their 1 races almost every day; and, in many places, the

soil was worn into parched ravines or the tracks of dried-up

torrents. Whatever affliction I experienced arose from the

wasting depression of heat. We did not suffer from lack of water

or food, for thp caravan of the Ali-Mami commanded implicit

obedience throughout our journey.

In the six l-.undred miles I traversed, whilst absent from the

coast, my memory, after twenty-six years, leads me, from begin-

ning to end, through an almost continuous forest-path. Westruck a trail when we started, and we left it when we came home.

It was rare, indeed, to encounter a cross road, except when it

led to Peighboring villages, water, or cultivated fields. So dense

was the forest foliage, that we often walked for hours in shade

without a glirifipse of the sun. The emerald light that penetratedthe wood, bathed every thing it touched with mellow refresh-

ment. But we were repaid for this partial bliss by intense suf-

fering when we came forth from the sanctuary into the bare

valleys, the arid barrancas^ and marshy savannas of an open

region. There, the red eye of the African sun glared with

merciless fervor. Every thing i-eflected its rays. They struck

us like lances from above, from below, from the sides, from the

rocks, from the fields, from the stunted herbage, from the bushes.

All was glare ! Our eyes seemed to simmer in their sockets.


Whenever the path followed the channel of a brook, ^Yhose dried

torrents left bare the scorched and broken rocks, our feet fled

from the ravine as from heated iron. Frequently we entered

extensive prairies, covered with blades of sword-grass, tall as

our heads, whose jagged edges tore us like saws, though we pro-tected our faces with masks of wattled willows. And yet, after

all these discomforts, how often are my dreams haunted by charm-

ing pictures of natural scenery that have fastened themselves for

ever in my memory !

As the traveller along the coast turns the prow of his canoe

through the surf, and crosses the angry bar that guards the

mouth of an African river, he suddenly finds himself moving

calmly onward between sedgy shores, buried in mangroves. Pre-

sently, the scene expands in the unruffled mirror of a deep, majes-

tic stream. Its lofty banks are covered by innumerable varieties

of the tallest forest trees, from whose summits a trailing net-

work of vines and flowers floats down and sweeps the passingcurrent. A stranger who beholds this scenery for the first time

is struck by the immense size, the prolific abundance, and gor-

geous verdure of every thing. Leaves, large enough for gar-

ments, lie piled and motionless in the lazy air. The bamboo and

cane shake their slender spears and pennant leaves as the stream

ripples among their roots. Beneath the massive trunks of forest

trees, the country opens ; and, in vistas through the wood, the

traveller sees innumerable fields lying fallow in grass, or wavingwith harvests of rice and cassava, broken by golden clusters of

Indian corn. Anon, groups of oranges, lemons, coffee-trees,

plantains and bananas, are crossed by the tall stems of cocoas,

and arched by the broad and drooping coronals of royal palm.

Beyond this, capping the summit of a hill, may be seen the coni-

cal huts of natives, bordered by fresh pastures dotted with

flocks of sheep and goats, or covered by numbers of the sleekest

cattle. As you leave the coast, and shoot round the river-

curves of this fragrant wilderness teeming with flowers, vocal

with birds, and gay with their radiant plumage, you plunge into

the interior, where the rising country slowly expands into hills

and mountains.


The forest is varied. Sometimes it is a matted pile of tree

vine, and bramble, obscuring every thing, and impervious save

with knife and hatchet. At others, it is a Gothic temple. The

sward spreads openly for miles on every side, while, from its even

surface, the trunks of straight and massive trees rise to a prodi-

gious height, clear from every obstruction, till their gigantic

limbs, like the capitals of columns, mingle their foliage in a roof

of perpetual verdure.

At length the hills are reached, and the lowland heat is tem-

pered by mountain freshness. The scene that may be beheld

from almost any elevation, is always beautiful, and sometimes

grand. Forest, of course, prevails ; yet, with a glass, and often

by the unaided eye, gentle hills, swelling from the wooded land-

scape, may be seen covered with native huts, whose neighbor-

hood is checkered with patches of sward and cultivation, and

inclosed by massive belts of primeval wildness. Such is com-

monly the westward view;but north and east, as far as vision

extends, noble outlines of hill and mountain may be traced against

the sky, lapping each other with their mighty folds, until they

fade away in the azure horizon.

When a view like this is beheld at morning, in the neighbor-

hood of rivers, a dense mist will be observed lying beneath the

spectator in a solid stratum, refracting the light now breaking

from the east. Here and there, in this lake of vapor, the tops

of hills peer up like green islands in a golden sea. But, ere you

have time to let fancy run riot, the " cloud compelling" orb lifts

its disc over the mountains, and the fogs of the valley, like ghosts

at cock-crow, flit from the dells they have haunted since night-

fall. Presently, the sun is out in his terrible splendor. Africa

unveils to her master, and the blue sky and green forest blaze

and quiver with his beams.


CHAPTER XXI.

I FELT SO much the lack of scenery in my narrative, that I

thought it well to group in a few pages the African pictures I

have given in the last chapter. My story had too much of the

bareness of the Greek stage, and I was conscious that landscape,

as well as action, was required to mellow the subject and relieve

it from tedium. After our dash through the wilderness, let us

return to the slow toil of the caravan.

Four days brought us to Tamisso from our last halt. Wecamped on the copious brook that ran near the town-walls, and

while Ali-Ninpha thought proper to compliment the chief, Mo-

hamedoo, by a formal announcement of our arrival, the caravan

made ready for reception by copious, but needed^ ablutions of

flesh and raiment. The women, especially, were careful in adorn-

ing and heightening their charms. Wool was combed to its

utmost rigidity ;skins were greased till they shone like polished

ebony; ankles and arms were restrung with beads; and loins

were girded with snowy waistcloths. Ali-Ninpha knew the pride

of his old Mandingo companions, and was satisfied that Moha-

medoo would have been mortified had we surprised him within

the precincts of his court, squatted, perhaps, on a dirty mat with

a female scratching his head ! Ali-Ninpha was a prudent gen-

tleman, and knew the difi"erence between the private and public

lives of his illustrious countrymen !


In the afternoon our interpreters returned to camp with Mohamedoo's son, accompanied by a dozen women carrying platters

of boiled rice, calabashes filled with delicate sauce, and abundance

of ture., or vegetable butter. A beautiful horse was also de-

spatched for my triumphal entry into town.

The food was swallowed with an appetite corresponding to

our recent penitential fare;the tents wei*e struck

;and the cara-

van was forthwith advanced towards Tamisso. All the noise we

could conveniently make, by way of music^ was, of course, duly

attempted. Interpreters and guides went ahead, discharging

guns. Half a dozen tom-toms were struck with uncommon

rapidity and vigor, while the unctuous women set up a chorus of

melody that would not have disgraced a band of "Ethiopian

Minstrels."

Half-way to the town our turbulent mob was met by a troop

of musicians sent out by the chief to greet us with song and harp.

I was quickly surrounded by the singers, who chanted the most

fulsome praise of the opulent Mongo, while a court-fool or buf-

foon insisted on leading my horse, and occasionally wiping myface with his filthy handkerchief !

Presently we reached the gates, thronged by pressing crowds

of curious burghers. Men, women, and children, had all come

abroad to see the immense Furtoo, or white man, and appeared

as much charmed by the spectacle as if I had been a banished

patriot. I was forced to dismount at the low wicket, but here

the emjyressement of my inquisitive hosts became so great, that

the " nation's guest" was forced to pause until some amiable

bailiffs modified the amazement of their fellow-citizens by staves

and whips.

I lost no time in the lull, while relieved from the mob, to

pass onward to " the palace" of Mohamedoo, which, like all

royal residences in Africa, consisted of a mud-walled quadran-

gular inclosure, with a small gate, a large court, and a quantityof adobe huts, surrounded by shady verandahs. The furniture,

mats, and couches were of cane, while wooden platters, brass ket-

tles, and common wash-basins, were spread out in every direction

for show and service.


On a couoh, covered with several splendid leopard skins, re-

clined Mobamedoo, awaiting my arrival with as much statelinesa

as if be had been a scion of civilized royalty. The chief was a

man of sixty at least. His corpulent body was covered with

sbort Turkish trousers, and a large Mandingo shirt profusely

embroidered with red and yellow worsted. His bald or shaved

head was concealed by a light turban, while a long white beard

stood out in relief against his tawny skin, and hung down uponhis breast. AliNinpha presented me formally to this personaÔ"

who got up, shook hands,"snapped fingers," and welcomed me

thrice. My Fullah chief and Mandingo companion then pro-

ceeded to " make their dantica^^'' or declare the purpose of

their visit;but when they announced that I was the guest of

the Fullah Ali-Mami, and, accordingly, was entitled to free pas-

sage every where without expense, I saw that the countenance

of the veteran instantly fell, and that his welcome was dashed bythe loss of a heavy duty which he designed exacting for mytransit. *

The sharp eye of Ali-Ninpha was not slow in detecting Mo-

hamedoo's displeasure ; and, Ss I had previously prepared him

in private, he took an early opportunity to whisper in the old

man's ear, that Don Teodore kn'„*f he was compelled to jour-

ney through Tamisso, and, of course, had not come empty-handed.

My object, he said, in visiting this region and the territory of

the Fullah king, was not idle curiosity alone;but that I was

prompted by a desire for liberal trade, and especially for the

purchase of slaves to load the numerous vessels I had lingeringon the coast, with immense cargoes of cloth, muskets, and pow-der.

The clouds were dispersed as soon as a hint was thrown out

about traffic. The old sinner nodded like a mandarin who knewwhat he was about, and, rising as soon as the adroit whispererhad finished, took me by the hand, and in a loud voice, presentedme to the people as his " beloved son !

" Besides this, the best

house within the royal inclosure was fitted with fresh comforts

for my lodging. When the Fullah chief withdrew from the

audience, Ali-Ninpha brought in the mistress of Mohamedoo's


harem, who acted as his confidential clerk, and we speedily

handed over the six pieces of cotton and an abundant supply of

tobacco with which I designed to propitiate her lord and master.

Tired of the dust, crowd, heat, confinement and curiosity of

an African town, I was glad to gulp down my supper of broiled

chickens and milk, preparatory to a sleepy attack on my couch

of rushes spread with mats and skins. Yet, before retiring for

the night, I thought it well to refresh my jaded frame by a bath,

which the prince had ordered to be prepared in a small court

behind my chamber. But I grieve to say, that my modesty was

put to a sore trial, when I began to unrobe. Locks and latches

are unknown in this free-and-easy region. It had been noised

abroad among the dames of the harem, that the Furtoo would

probably perform his ablutions before he slept ;so that, when I

entered the yard, my tub was surrounded by as many inquisitive

eyes as the dinner table of Louis the Fourteenth, when sove-

reigns dined in public. As I could not speak their language, I

made all the pantomimic signs of graceful supplication that com-

monly soften the hearts of the sex on the stage, hoping, by dumbshow, to secure my privacy. But gestures and grimace were

unavailing. I then made bold to take off my shirt, leaving mynether garments untouched. Hitherto, the dames had seen only

my bronzed face and hands, but when the snowy pallor of mybreast and back was unveiled, many of them fled incontinently,

shouting to their friends to " come and see the peeled Furtoo !"

An ancient crone, the eldest of the crew, ran her hand rouorhly

across the fairest portion of my bosom, and looking at her fin-

gers with disgust, as if I reeked with leprosy, wiped them on

the wall. As displeasure seemed to predominate over admira-

tion, I hoped this experiment would have satisfied the inquest,

but, as black curiosity exceeds all others, the wenches continued

to linger, chatter, grin and feel, until I was forced to disappoint

their anxiety for further disclosures, by an abrupt'•

good-night."We tarried in Tamisso three days to recruit, during which I

was liberally entertained on the prince's hospitable mat, where

African stews of relishing flavor, and tender fowls smothered in

snowy rice, regaled me at least twice in every twenty-four hours.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVEU. 101

Mohamedoo fed mc with an European silver spoon, •which, he

said, came from among the effects of a traveller who, many years

before, died far in the interior. In all his life, he had seen but

four of our race within the walls of Tamisso. Their names

escaped his memory ;but the last, he declared, was a poor and

clever youth, probably from Senegal, who followed a powerful

caravan, and " read the Koran like a mufti?''

Tamisso was entirely surrounded by a tall double fence

of pointed posts. The space betwixt the inclosures, which wereabout seven feet apart, was thickly planted with smaller spear-headed staves, hardened by fire. If the first fence was leaped byassailants, they met a cruel reception from those impaling senti-

nels. Three gates afforded admission to difierent sections of the

town, but. the passage through them consisted of zig-zags, with

loopholes cut judiciously in the angles, so as to command every

point of access to the narrow streets of the suburbs.

The parting between Mohamedoo and myself was friendly in

the extreme. Provisions for four days were distributed by the

prince to the caravan, and he promised that my return should bo

welcomed by an abundant supply of slaves.


CHAPTER XXII.

As our caravan approached the Fullah country, and got into the

higher lands, where the air was invigorating, I found its pace

improved so much that we often exceeded twenty miles in our

daily journey. The next important place we were to approach

was Jallica. For three days, our path coasted the southern

edge of a mountain range, whose declivities and valleys were

filled with rivers, hrooks, and streamlets, afi"ording abundant

irrigation to fields teeming with vegetable wealth. The popu-

lation was dense. Frequent caravans, with cattle and slaves,

passed us on their way to various marts. Our supplies of food

were plentiful. A leaf of tobacco purchased a fowl;a charge

of powder obtained a basin of milk, or a dozen of eggs; and a

large sheep cost only six cents, or a quart of salt.

Five days after quitting Tamisso, our approach to Jallica

was announced;and here, as at our last resting place, it was

deemed proper to halt half a day for notice and ablution before

entering a city, whose chief—Suphiana—was a kinsman of Ali-

Ninpha.The distance from our encampment to the town was about

three miles;but an hour had hardly elapsed after our arrival,

when the deep boom of the war-drum gave token that our mes-

sage had been received with welcome. I was prepared, in some

measure, for a display of no ordinary character at Jallica, because

TWENTY \EARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 163

my Mandingo friend, Ali-Ninpha, inhabited the town in his

youth, and had occupied a position which gave importance to his

name throughout Soolimana. Tlie worthy fellow had been ab-

.sent many years from Jallica, and wept like a child when ho

heard the sound of the war-drum. Its discordant beat had the

same effect on the savage that the sound of their village bells

has on the spirit of returning wanderers in civilized lands.

When the rattle of the drum was over, he told me that for five

years he controlled that very instrument in Jallica, during which

it had never sounded a retreat or betokened disaster. In peaceit was never touched, save for public rejoicing ;

and the authori-

ties allowed it to be beaten 7iow only because an old commanderof the tribe was to be received with the honors due to his rank

and service. Whilst we were still conversing, Suphiana's lance-

bearer made his appearance, and, with a profound salaam, an-

nounced that the "gates of Jallica were open to the Mandingo

and his companions."

'ôfanda or refreshments were sent with the welcome;but

when the caravan got within fifty yards of the walls, a band of

shouting warriors marched forth, and lifting Ali-Ninpha on their

shoulders, bore him through the gates, singing war-songs, accom-

panied by all sorts of music and hubbub.

I had purposely lingered with my men in the rear of the

great body of Africans, so that nearly the whole caravan passedthe portal before my complexion

—though deeply bronzed by ex-

posure—made me known to the crowd as a white man.

Then, instantly, the air rang with the sound of—" Furtoo !

Furtoo ! Furtoo !

"—and the gate was slammed in our faces,

leaving us completely excluded from guide and companions.

But, in the midst of his exultant reception, Ali-Ninpha did not

Torget the Mongo of Kambia. Hardly had he attained the end

of the street, when he heard the cry of exclusion, and observed

the closing portal. By this time, my Fullah friend had wroughhimself into an cxamplary fit of Oriental rage with the inhos

pitable Mandingoes, so that I doubt very much whether ho

would not have knocked the dust from his sandals on the gate of

Jallica, had not Ali-Ninpha rushed through the wicket, and


commanding the portal to be reopened, apologized contritely to

the Mahometan and myself.

This unfortunate mistake, or accident, not only caused con-

siderable delay, but rather dampened the delight of our partyas it defiled in the spacious square of Jallica, and entered the

open shed which was called a ^^

palave) -housed Its vast area

was densely packed with a fragrant crowd of old and young,

armed with muskets or spears. All wore knives or cutlasses,

slung by a belt high up on their necks; while, in their midst sur-

rounded by a court of veterans, stood Suphiana, the prince, wait-

ing our arrival.

In front mjft-ched Ali-Ninpha, preoeded by a numerous band

of shrieking and twanging minstrels. As he entered the apart-

ment, Suphiana arose, drew his sword, and embracing the stran-

ger with his left arm, waved the shining blade over his head,

with the other. This peculiar accolade was imitated by each

member of the royal council; while, in the centre of the square,

the war-drum,—a hollowed tree, four feet in diameter, covered

with hides,—was beaten by two savages with slung-shot, until its

thundering reverberations completely deafened us.

You may imagine my joy and comfort when I saw the Man-

dingo take a seat near the prince, as a signal for the din's cessa-

tion. This, however, was only the commencement of another

prolonged ceremonial;for now began the royal review and salute

in honor of the returned commander. During two hours, an un-

interrupted procession of all the warriors, chiefs, and head-men

of Jallica, defiled in front of the ancient drum-major ; and, as

each approached, he made his obeisance by pointing a spear or

weapon at my landlord's feet. During this I remained on horse-

back without notice or relief from the authorities. Ali-Ninpha,

however, saw my impatient discomfort, and once or twice de-

spatched a sly message to preserve my good humor. The cere-

mony was one of absolute compulsion, and could not be avoided

without discourtesy to the prince and his countrymen. As soon

as he could escape, however, he hastened over the court-yard to

assist me in dismounting ;and dashing the rude crowd right and

left, led me to his kinsman Suphiana. The prince extended his


royal hand in token of amity ; Ali-Ninpha declared me to bo

his" son

;

" while the long string of compliments and panegyrics

he pronounced upon my personal qualities, moral virtues, and

wealthy brought down a roar of grunts by way of applause from

the toad-eating courtiers.

Jallica was a fairer town than any I had hitherto encounter-

ed in my travels. Its streets were wider, its houses better, its

people more civil. No one intruded on the friend of Ali-Ninpha,

and guest of Suphiana. I bathed without visits from inquisitive

females. My house was my castle; and, when I stirred abroad,

two men preceded me with rattans to keep my path clear from

women and children.

After lounging about quietly for a couple of days, wearing

away fatigue, and getting rid of the stains of travel, I thought

it advisable to drop in one morning, unannounced, after break-

fast, at Suphiana's with the presents that are customary in the

east. As the guest,—

during my whole journey,—of the Ali-

Mami, or King of Foota-Yallon, I was entirely exempt by cus-

tomary law from this species of tax, nor would my FuUah pro-

tector have allowed me to offer a tribute had he known it;

—^yet,

I always took a secret opportunity' to present a voluntary gift,

for I wished my memory to smell sweet along my track in Africa.

Suphiana fully appreciated my generosity under the circum-

stances, and returned the civility by an invitation to dinner

at the house of his principal wife. When the savory feast

with which he regaled me was over, female singers were intro-

duced for a concert. Their harps were triangles of wood, cord-

ed with fibres of cane;

their banjoes consisted of gourds covered

with skin pierced by holes, and strung like the harps ; but, I

confess, that I can neither rave nor go into ecstasies over the com-

bined effect which saluted me from such instruments or such

voices. I was particularly struck, however, by one of their in-

ventions, which slightly resembles the harmonica I have seen

played by children in this country. A board, about two feet

square, was bordered by a light frame at two ends, across which

a couple of cane strings were tightly stretched. On these, strips


of nicely trimmed bamboo, gradually diminishing in size from

left to right, were placed ;-whilst beneath them, seven gourds,

also gradually decreasing, were securely fastened to mellow the

sound. The instrument was carried by a strap round the player's

neck, and was struck by two small wooden hammers softened bysome delicate substance.

One of the prettiest girls in the bevy had charge of this

African piano, and was said to be renowned for uncommon skill.

Her feet, hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, and knees, were strung

with small silvery bells; and, as the gay damsel was dancer and

singer as well as musician, she seemed to reek with sound from

every pore. Many of her attitudes would probably have been,

at least, more picturesque and decent for drapery ; but, in Jal-

lica, Madoo, the ayah, was considered a Mozart in composition,

a Lind in melody, and a Taglioni on the "light fantastic

toe !

"

When the performance closed, Suphiana presented her a

slave; and, as she made an obeisance to me in passing, I handed

her my bowie-knife, promising to redeem it at my lodgings with

ten pounds of tobacco !

Some superstitious notions about the state of the moon pre-

vented my Fullah guide from departing as soon as I desired;

but while we were dallying with the planet, Ali-Ninpha became

so ill that he was compelled to halt and end the journey in his

favorite Jallica. I rather suspected the Mandingo to feign

more suffering than he really experienced, and I soon discover-

ed that his malady was nothing but a sham. In truth, Ali-

Ninpha had duped so many Fullah traders on the beach, and

owed them the value of so many slaves, that he found it extreme-

ly inconvenient, if not perilous, to enter the domain of the Ali-

Mami of FcOXnA-YALLON !

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFEICAN SLAVER. i(>7

CHAPTER XXIII.

A MESSENGER was despatched from Jallica, in advance of our

departure, to announce our approach to Timbo. For six days

more, our path led over hill and dale, and through charming

valleys, fed by gentle streamlets that nourished the vigorous

vegetation of a mountain land.

As we crossed the last summits that overlooked the territory

of Footha-Yallon, a broad plateau, whence a wide range of coun-

try might be beheld, was filled with bands of armed men, afoot

and on horseback, while a dozen animals were held in tether bytheir gayly dressed attendants. I dashed to the head of the

caravan on my jaded beast, and reached it just in time to

find the sable arms of Ahmah-de-Bellah opening to greet me !

The generous youth, surrounded by his friends and escorted bya select corps of soldiers and slaves, had come thus far on the

path to offer the prince's welcome !

I greeted the Mahometan with the fervor of ancient Mve

and, in a moment, we were all dismounted and on our knees;

while, at a signal from the chief, profound silence reigned

throughout the troop and caravan. Every eye was turned across

the distant plain to the cast. An air of profoundest devotion

subdued the multitude, and, in a loud chant, Ahmah-de-Bel-

lah, with outstretched arms and upraised face, sang forth a

psalm of gratitude to Allah for the safety of his" brother."

'.68 CAPTAIN canot; or,

The surprise of this complimentary reception was not only

delightful as an evidence of African character among these more

civilized tribes of the Mahometan interior, but it gave me an

assurance of security and trade, which vras very acceptable to one

so far within the bowels of the land. We were still a day's

journey from the capital. Ahmah-de-Bellah declared it impos-

sible, with all the diligence we coxild muster, to reach Timbo

without another halt. Nevertheless, as he was extremely solicit-

ous to bring us to our travel's end, he not only supplied my per-

sonal attendants with fresh horses, but ordered carriers from

his own guard to charge themselves with the entire luggage of

our caravan.

Thus relieved of burden, our party set forth on the path in

a brisk trot, and resting after dark for several hours in a village,

we entered Timbo unceremoniously before daybreak while its

inhabitants were still asleep.

I was immediately conducted to a house specially built for

me, surrounded by a high wall to protect my privacy from in-

trusion." Within, I found a careful duplicate of all the humble

comforts in my domicil on the Rio Pongo. Tables, sofas, plates,

knives, forks, tumblers, pitchers, basins,—had all been purchased

by my friend, and forwarded for this establishment, from other

factories without my knowledge ;while the centre of the main

apartment was decorated with an " American rocking-chair,"

which the natives had ingeniously contrived of rattans and bam-

boo ! Such pleasant evidences of refined attention were more

remarkable and delicate, because most of the articles are not

used by Mahometans. "These, I hope," said Ahmah-de-Bellah,

as he led me to a seat,"will make you comparatively comfort-

able' while you please to dwell with your brother in Timbo.

You have no thanks to return, because I have not treated youlike a native Mussulman

;for you were kind enough to remember

all my own little nationalities when I was your guest on the

beach. Allah be praised for your redemption and arrival;

—and

so, brother, take your rest in peace within the realm of the Ali-

Mami, your father !

"

I embraced the generous fellow with as much cordiality as if


he had been a kinsman from the sweet valley of Arno. During hia

visit to my factory he was particularly charmed with an old

dressing-gown I used for my siestas, and when I resolved on this

journey, I caused an improved copy of it to be made by one of

the most skilful artists on the river. A flashy pattern of calico

was duly cut into rather ampler form than is usual among our

dandies. This was charmingly lined with sky-blue, and set off

at the edges with broad bands of glaring yellow. The efi'ect of

the whole, indeed, was calculated to strike an African fancy ;so

that, when I drew the garment from my luggage, and threw it,

together with a fine white ruffled shirt, over the shoulders of"my brother," I thought the pious Mussulman would have gone

wild with delight. He hugged me a dozen times with the

gripe of a tiger, and probably would have kissed quite as

lustily, had I not deprecated any further ebullitions of bodily

gratitude.

A bath erased not only the dust of travel from my limbs, but

seemed to extract even the memory of its toils from my bones

and muscles. Ahmah-de-Bellah intimated that the Ali-Mami

would soon be prepared to receive me without ceremony. Theold gentleman was confined by dropsy in his lower extremities,and probably found it uncomfortable to sustain the annoyance of

public life except when absolutely necessary. The burden of

my entertainment and glorification, therefore, was cast on the

shoulders of his younger kinsfolk, for which, I confess, I was

proportionally grateful. Accordingly, when I felt perfectly refresh-

ed, I arose from my matted sofa, and dressing for the first timo

in more than a month in a perfectly clean suit, I donned a snowyBhirt, a pair of dashing drills, Parisian pumps, and a Turkish

fez, tipped with a copious tassel. Our interpreters were clad in

fresh Mandingo dresses adorned with extra embroidery. Mybody-servant was ordered to appear in a cast-off suit of my own

;

80 that, when I gave one my double-barrelled gun to carry, and

armed the others with my pistols, and a glittering regulation-

sword,—designed as a gift for the Ali-Mami,—I presented a

very respectable and picturesque appearance for a gentlemanabroad on his travels in the East. The moment I issued with

8


my train from the house, a crowd of Fullahs was ready to re

ceive me with exclamations of chattering surprise ,still I was

not annoyed, as elsewhere, by the unfailing concourse that fol-

lowed my footsteps or clogged my pathway.

The "palace

" of the Ali-Mami of Footha-Yallon, like all

African palaces in this region, was an adobe hovel, surrounded

by its portico shed, and protected by a wall from the intrusion

of the common herd. In front of the dwelling, beneath the

shelter of the verandah, on a fleecy pile of sheepskin mats, re-

clined the veteran, whose swollen and naked feet were under-

going a cooling process from the palm-leaf fans of female slaves.

I marched up boldly in front of him with my military suite, and,

making a profound salaam, was presented by Ahmahde-Bellah

as his " white brother." The Ali at once extended both hands,

and, grasping mine, drew me beside him on the sheepskin.

Then, looking intently over my face and into the very depthof my eyes, he asked gently "with a smile—" what was myname ?

"

" Ahmah-de-Bellah !

"replied I, after the fashion of the

country. As I uttered the Mahometan appellation, for which I

had exchanged my own with his son at Kambia, the old man,who still held my hands, put one of his arms round my waist,

and pressed me still closer to his side;

—then, lifting both arms

extended to heaven, he repeated several times,—God is great!

God is great ! God is great !—and Mahomet is his Prophet !

"

This was followed by a grand inquest in regard to myselfand history. Who was my father ? Who was my mother ?

How many brothers had I ? Were they warriors ? Were they" book-men ?

"Why did I travel so far ? What delay would

I make in Footha-Yallon ? Was my dwelling comfortable ?

Had I been treated with honor, respect and attention on myjourney ? And, last of all, the prince sincerely hoped that I

would find it convenient to dwell with him during the whole of

the "rainy season."

Several times, in the midst of these interrogations, the patri-

arch groaned, and I could perceive, from the pain that flitted

like a shadow over the nerves and muscles of his face, that ho


was suflfering severely, and, of course, I cut the interview as short

as oriental etiquette would allow. He pressed me once more to

his bosom, and speaking to the interpreter, bade him tell his

master, the Furtoo, that any thing I fancied in the realm was

mine. Slaves, horses, cattle, stufi's,—all were at my disposal.

Then, pointing to his son, he said :

"Ahmahde-Bollah, the white

man is our guest ;his brother will take heed for his wants, and

redress every complaint."

The prince was a man of sixty at least. His stature was

noble and commanding, if not absolutely gigantic,—being several

inches over six feet,—while his limbs and bulk were in perfect

proportion. His oval head, of a rich mahogany color, was

quite bald to the temples, and covered by a turban, whose

ends depended in twin folds along his cheeks. The contour of

his features was remarkably regular, though his lips were rather

full, and his nose somewhat flat, yet free from the disgusting

depression and cavities of the negro race. His forehead was

high and perpendicular, while his mouth glistened with ivory

when he spoke or smiled. I had frequent opportunities to talk

with the king afterwards, and was always delighted by the afi'ec-

tiouate simplicity of his demeanor. As it was the country's cus-

tom to educate the first-boru of royalty for the throne, the Ali-

Manii of Footha-Yallou had been brought up almost within the

precincts of the mosque. I found the prince, therefore, more of

a meditative " book-man " than warrior;while the rest of his

family, and especially his younger brothers, had never been

exempt from military duties, at home or abroad. Like a good

Mussulman, the sovereign was a quiet, temperate gentleman,never indulging in "

bitters"

or any thing stronger than a drink

fermented from certain roots, and sweetened to resemble mead.

His intercourse with me was always afi"able and solicitous for mycomfort

;nor did he utter half a dozen sentences without inter-

larding them with fluent quotations from the Koran. Some-

times, in the midst of a pleasant chat in which he was wonderingat my curiosity and taste for information about new lands, ho

would suddenly break ofi" because it was his hour for prayer ;at

others, he would end the interview quite as unceremoniously,

172 CAPTAIN canot;

because it was time for ablution. Thus, between praying, wash,

ing, eating, sleeping, slave-dealing, and fanning his dropsical

feet, the life of the Ali-Mami passed monotonously enough evenfor an oriental prince ;

but I doubt not, the same childish routineis still religiously pursued, unless it has pleased Allah to sum-mon the faithful prince to the paradise of " true believers." Icould never make him understand how a ship might be built

large enough to hold provisions for a six months' voyage ; and,as to the sea,

'•it was a mystery that none but God and a white

man could solve !

"

As I was to breakfast on the day of my arrival at the dwell-

ing of Ahmah-de-Bellah's mother, after my presentation .to the

prince her husband, I urged the footsteps of my companion withno little impatience as soon as I got out of the royal hearing.My fast had been rather longer than comfortable, even in obedi-

ence to royal etiquette. However, we were soon within the

court-yard of her sable ladyship, who, though a dame of fifty at

least, persisted in hiding her charms of face and bosom beneatha capacious cloth. Nevertheless, she welcomed me quite ten-

derly. She called me "Ahmah-de-Bellah-Theodoree," and,

with her own hands, mixed the dainties on which we were to

breakfast while cosily squatted on the mats of her verandah.Our food was simple enough for the most dyspeptic homceopa-thist. Milk and rice were alternated with bonney-clabber and

honey, seasoned by frequent words of hospitable encouragement.The frugal repast was washed down by calabashes of cool water,which were handed round by naked damsels, whose beautiful

limbs might have served as models for an artist.

When the meal was finished, I hoped that the day's ceremo-nial was over, but, to my dismay, I discovered that the mostformal portion of my reception was yet to come.

" We will now hasten," said Ahmah-de-Bellah, as I salaamedhis mamma,

"to the palaver-ground, where I am sure our chiefs

are, by this time, impatient to see you." Had I been a feeble

instead of a robust campaigner, I would not have resisted the

intimation, or desired a postponement of the "palaver ;

" so I" took my brother's "

arm, and, followed by my cortege, pro-

TWENTX YEAT!P OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 173

ceeded to the interview lliat was to take place beyond the walls,

in an exquisite grove of cotton-wood and tamarind-trees, appro-

priated to this sort of town-meeting. Here I found a vast assem-

blage of burghers ;and in their midst, squatted on sheepskins,

was a select ring oi patres conscripti, presided by Sulimani-Ali,

son of the king, and brother of my companion.

As the Fullah presented me to his warrior-kinsman, he rose

with a profound salutation, and taking my hand, led me to a

rock, covered with a white napkin,—the seat of honor for an

eminent stranger. The moment I was placed, the chiefs sprang

up and each one grasped my hand, bidding me welcome thrice.

Ahmah-dc-]3ellah stood patiently beside me until this ceremonywas over, and each noble resumed his sheepskin. Then, taking

a long cane from the eldest of the group, he stepped forward,

saluted the assembly three times, thrice invoked Allah, and in-

troduced me to the chiefs and multitude as his " brother." I

came, he said, to Footha-Yallon on his invitation, and by the ex-

press consent of his beloved king and father, and of his beloved

elder brother, Sulimani. He hoped, therefore, that every' head-man "

present would see the rites of hospitality faithfully

exercised to his white brother while he dwelt in Footha. There

were many reasons that he could give why this should be done;

but he would rest content with stating only three. First of all :

I was nearly as good a Mussulman as many Mandingoes, and he

knew the fact, because he had converted me hi/nsc/f! Secondly:

I was entitled to every sort of courtesy from Fullahs, because I

was a rich trader from the Rio Pongo. And, thirdly : I had

penetrated even to this very heart of Africa to purchase slaves

for most liberal prices.

It is the custom in African "palavers," as well as among

African religionists, to give token of assent by a sigh, a groan,

a slight exclamation, or a shout, when any thing affecting, agree-

able, or touching is uttered by a speaker. Now, when my Ful-

lali brother informed his friends of my arrival, my name, mydemand for hospitality, and my wealth, the grunts and groans of

the assembly augmented in number and volume as he went on;

but when they heard of my design "to purchase slaves,''^ a climax


was reached at once, and, as with one voice, they shouted"May the Lord of heaven be praised !

"

I smothered a laugh and strangled a smile as well as I could,

when my interpreters expounded the "stump speech" of Ahmah-

de-Bellah;and I lost no time in directing them to display the

presents which some of my retainers, in the meanwhile, had

brought to the grove. They consisted of several packages of

blue and white calicoes, ten yards of brilliant scarlet cloth, six

kegs of powder, three hundred pounds of tobacco, two strings

of amber beads, and six muskets. On a beautiful rug, I set aside

the gilded sword and a package of cantharides^ designed for the

king.

When my arrangement was over, Sulimani took the cane from

his brother, and stepping forward, said that the gifts to which he

pointed proved the truth of Ahmahde-Bellah's words, and that

a rich man, indeed, had come to Footha-Yallon. Nay, more;

—the rich man wanted slaves ! Was I not generous ? I was their

guest, and owed them no tribute or duties : and yet, had I not

vohmtarily lavished my presents upon the chiefs ? Next day,his father would personally distribute my offering ; but, whilst I

dwelt in Footha, a bullock and ten baskets of rice should daily be

furnished for my caravan's support ; and, as every chief would

partake my bounty, each one should contribute to my comfort.

This speech, like the former, was hailed with grunts ;but I

could not help noticing that the vote of supplies was not cheered

half as lustily as the announcement of my largesse.

The formalities being over, the inquisitive head-men crowded

round the presents with as much eagerness as aspirants for office

at a presidential inauguration. The merchandise was inspected,

felt, smelled, counted, measured, and set aside. The rug an J

the sword, being royal gifts, were delicately handled. But whenthe vials of cantharides were unpacked, and their contents an-

nounced, each of the chieftains insisted that his majesty should

not monopolize the coveted stimulant. A sharp dispute on the

subject arose between the princes and the councillors,so that I

was forced to interfere through the interpreters, who could only

quiet the rebels by the promise of a dozen additional flasks for

their private account.


In the midst of the wrangling, Sulimani and Ahmah ordered

tbeir father's slaves to carry the gifts to the Ali-Mami's palace ;

and, taking me between them, we marched, arm in arm, to mydomicil. Here I found Abdulmomen-Ali, another son of the

king, waiting for his brothers to present him to the Mongo of

Kambia. Abdulmomen was introduced as " a learned divine,"

and began at once to talk Koran in the most nuifti-likc manner.

I had made such sorry improvement in Mahometanism since

Ahmah-de-Bellah's departure from the Rio Pongo, that I thoughtit safest to sit silent, as if under the deepest fervor of Mussul-

man conviction. I soon found that Abdulmomen, like manymore clergymen, was willing enough to do all the preaching,

whenever he found an unresisting listener. I put on a look of

very intelligent assent and thankfulness to all the argumentsand commentaries of my black brother, and in this way I avoided

the detection of my ignorance, as many a better man has f robablydone before me !


CHAPTER XXIV.

TiMBo lies on a rolling plain. North of it, a lufty au<>tintain

range rises at the distance of ten or fifteen mile??, and sweeps

eastwardly to the horizon. The landscape, which declines from

these slopes to the south, is in many places bare; yet fields of

plentiful cultivation, groves of cotton-wood, tamarind and oak,

thickets of shrubbery and frequent villages, stud its surface, and

impart an air of rural comfort to the picturesque scene.

I soon proposed a gallop with my African kindred over the

neighborhood ; and, one fine morning, after a plentiful breakfast

of stewed fowls, boiled to rags with rice, and seasoned with

delicious "palavra sauce," we cantered off to the distant villages.

As we approached the first brook, but before the fringe of screen-

ing bushes was passed, our cavalcade drew rein abruptly, while

Ahmah-de-Bellah cried out :

"Strangers are coming !

" A few

moments after, as we slowly crossed the stream, I noticed several

women crouched in the underwood, having fled from the bath.

This warning is universally given, and enforced by law, to guardthe modesty of the gentler sex.

In half an hour we reached the first suburban village ;but

fame had preceded us with my character, and as the settlement

was cultivated either by serfs or negroes liable to be made so,

we found the houses bare. The poor wretches had learned, on

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFIUCAN SLAVER. 177

the day of my reception, that the principal object of ray journeywas to obtain slaves, and,' of course, they imagined that the only

object of my foray in their neighborhood, was to seize the gangand bear it abroad in bondage. Accordingly, we tarried only a

few minutes in Fiudo, and dashed off to Furo;but here, too,

the blacks had been panic-struck, and escaped so hurriedly that

they left their pots of rice, vegetables, and meat boiling in their

sheds. Furo was absolutely stripped of inhabitants;the vete-

ran chief of the village did not even remain to do the honors

for his affrighted brethren. Ahmah-de-Bellah laughed heartily

at the terror I inspired ;but I confess I could not help feeling

sadly mortified when I found my presence shunned as a pesti-

lence.

The native villages through which I passed on this excursion

manifested the great comfort in which these Africans live through-

out their prolific land, when unassailed by the desolating wars

that are kept up for slave-trade. It was the height of tho dry

season, when every thing was parched by the sun, yet I could

trace the outlines of fine plantations, gardens, and rice-fields.

Every where I found abundance of peppers, onions, garlic, to-

matoes, sweet potatoes, and cassava, while tasteful fences were

garlanded with immense vines and flowers. Fowls, goats, sheep,

and oxen, stalked about in innumerable flocks, and from everydomicil depended a paper, inscribed with a charm from the Koran

to keep off thieves and witches.

My walks through Timbo were promoted by the constant

efforts of my entertainers to shield me from intrusive curiosity.

Whenever I sallied forth, two townsfolk in authority were sent

forward to warn the public that the Furtoo desired to promenadewithout a mob at his heels. These lusty criers stationed them-

selves at the corners with an iron triangle, which they rattled to

call attention to the king's command; and, in a short time, the

highways were so clear of people, who feared a bastinado, that I

found my loneliness rather disagreeable than otherwise. Every

2)erson I saw, skun?ied me. When I called the children or

little gills,—

they fled from me. My reputation as a slaver in

the villages, and the fear of a lash in the town, furnished mo8*


much more solitude than is generally agreeable to a sensitiva

traveller.

Towards night-fall I left my companions, and wrapping my-self closely in a Mandingo dress, stole away through bye-waysto a brook which runs by the town walls. Thither the females

resort at sunset to draw water; and, choosing a screened situa-

tion, where I would not be easily observed, I watched, for

more than an hour, the graceful children, girls, and women of

Timbo, as they performed this domestic task of eastern lands.

I was particularly impressed by the general beauty of the

sex, who, in many respects, resembled the Moor rather than the

negro. Unaware of a stranger's presence, they came forth as

usual in a simple dress which covers their body from waist to

knee, and leaves the rest of the figure entirely naked. Groupafter group gathered together on the brink of the brook in the

slanting sunlight and lengthening shadows of the plain. Somerested on their pitchers and water vessels; some chatted, or

leaned on each other gracefully, listening to the chat of friends;

some stooped to fill their jars ;others lifted the brimming

vessels to their sisters' shoulders—while others strode home-

ward singing, with their charged utensils poised on head or

hand. Their slow, stately, swinging movement under the burden,was grace that might be envied on a Spanish paseo. I do not

think the forms of these Fullah girls,—with their complexions of

freshest bronze,—are exceeded in symmetry by the women of anyother country. There was a slender delicacy of limb, waist, neck,

hand, foot, and bosom, which seemed to be the type that mould-

ed every one of them. I saw none of the hanging breast;the

flat, expanded nostrils;the swollen lips, and fillet-like foreheads,

that characterize the Soosoos and their sisters of the coast. Nonewere deformed, nor were any marked by traces of disease.

I may obsei've, moreover, that the male Fullahs of Timbo are

impressed on my memory by a beauty of form, which almost

equals that of the women; and, in fact, the only fault I found

with them was their minute resemblance to the feminine de-

licacy of the other sex. They made up, however, in couragewhat they lacked in form, for their manly spirit has made them

TWENTY YEARS UV AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 179

renowned among all the tribes tbey have so long controlled \>y

distinguished bravery and perseverance.

The patriarchal landscape by the brook, with the Oriental

girls over their water-jars, and the lowing cattle in the pastures,

brought freshly to my mind many a Bible scene I heard mymother read when I was a boy at home

;and I do not know

what revolution might have been wrought on my spirit had I not

suddenly become critical ! A stately dame passed within twenty

feet of my thicket, whose coiffure excited my mirth so power-

fully that I might have been detected as a spy, had not a bitten

lip controlled my laughter. Her ladyship belonged, perhaps, to

the "upper-ten

"of Timbo, whose heads had hitherto been hid-

den from my eyes by the jealous yashmacks they constantly

wear in a stranger's presence. In this instance, however, the

woman's head, like that of the younger girls, was uncovered, so

that I had a full view of the stately preparation. Her lower

limbs were clad in ample folds of blue and white cotton, knotted

in an immense mass at the waist, while her long crisp hair had

been combed out to its fullest dimensions an,d spliced with addi-

tional wool. The ebony fleece was then separated in strands

half an inch in diameter, and plaited all over her skull in a

countless number of distinct braids. This quill-like structure

was then adorned with amber beads, and copiously anointed

with vegetable butter, so that the points gleamed with fire in the

settinjr sunlicht, and made her look as if she had donned for

a bewitching headdress a porcupine instead of a '• bird of par-

adise."

My trip to Timbo, I confess, was one of business rather than

pleasure or scientific exploration. I did not make a record, at

the moment, of my"impressions de voyage," and never thought

that, a quarter of a century afterwards, I would feel disposed to

chronicle the journey in a book, as an interesting souvenir of

my early life. Had I supposed that the day would come when

I was to turn author, it is likely I might have been more in-

quisitive ; but, being only" a slaver," I found Ahma, Sulimani,

Abdulmomen, the Ali-Mami, and all the quality and amusements


of Timbo, dull enough, when my object was achieved. Still,

while I was there, I thought I might as well pee all that was

visible. I strolled repeatedly through the towu. I became ex-

cessively familiar with its narrow streets, low houses, mud walls,

cul-de-sacs, and mosques. I saw no fine bazaars, market-places,

or shops. The chief wants of life were supplied by peddlers.

Platters, jars, and baskets of fruit, vegetables, and meat, were

borne around twice or thrice daily. Horsemen dashed about on

beautiful steeds towards the fields in the morning, or came home

at night-fall at a slower pace. I never saw man or woman bask

lazily i?i the sun. Females were constantly busy over their

cotton and spinning wheels when not engaged in household occu-

pations ;and often have I seen an elderly dame quietly crouched

in her hovel at sunset reading the Koran. Nor are the men of

Timbo less thrifty. Their city wall is said to hem in about ten

thousand individuals, representing all the social industries

They weave cotton, work in leather, fabricate iron from the bar,

engage diligently in agriculture, and, whenever not laboriously

employed, devote themselves to reading and writing, of which

they are excessively fond.

These are the faint sketches, which, on ransacking my brain,

I find resting on its tablets. But I was tired of Timbo;I was

perfectly refreshed from my journey ;and I was anxious to re-

turn to my factory on the beach. Two " moons "only had been

originally set apart for the enterprise, and the third was already

waxing towards its full. I feared the Ali-Mami was not yet

prepared with slaves for my departure, and I dreaded lest objec-

tions might be made if I approached his royal highness with the

fiat announcement. Accordingly, I schooled my interpreters,

and visited that important personage. I made a long speech, as

full of compliments and blarney as a Christmas pudding is

of plums, and concluded by touching the soft part in African

royalty's heart—slaves ! I told the king that a vessel or two,with abundant freights, would be waiting me on the river, and

that I must hasten thither with his choicest gangs if he hoped to

reap a profit.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICA'N SLAVER. 181

The king and the royal family were no doubt excessively

grieved to part with the Furtoo Mongo, but they were discreet

persons and '• listened to reason." AVar parties and scouts were

forthwith despatched to blockade the paths, while press-gangs

made recruits among the villages, and even in Timbo. Suliraaui-

Ali, himself, sallied forth, before daybreak, with a troop of horse,

and at sundown, came back with forty-five splendid fellows, cap-

tured in Findo and Furo !

The personal dread of me in the town itself, was augmented.If I had been a Pestilence before, I was Death now ! When I

took my usual morning walk the children ran from me scream-

ing. 8ince the arrival of Sulimani with his victims, all who

were under the yoke thought their hour of exile had come. The

poor regarded me as the devil incarnate. Once or twice, I

caught women throwing a handful of dust or ashes towards

me, and uttering an invocation from the Koran to avert the

demon or save them from his clutches. Their curiosity was

merged in terror, il/y 'popularity was over !

It was not a little amusiuw that in the midst of the "cneral

dismay, caused by the court of Timbo and myself, my colored

brother Ahmah-de-Bellah, and his kinsman Abdulmomen, lost

no chance of lecturing me about my soul ! We kidnapped the

Africans all day and spouted Islamism all night ! Our religion,

however, was more speculative than practical. It was much more

important, they thought, that we should embrace the faith of

their peculiar theology, than that we should trouble ourselves

about human rights that interfered with profits and pockets.

We spared Mahometans and enslaved only" the heathen ;

"

so that, in fact, we were merely obedient to the behests of Ma-

homet when we subdued " the infidel !

"

This process of proselytism, however, was not altogether suc-

cessful. As I was already a rather poor Christian, 1 fear that

the Fullah did not succeed in making me a very good Mussul-

man. Still, I managed to amuse him with the hope of my future

improvement in his creed, so that we were very good friends

when the Ali-Mami summoned us for a final interview.

w

1 82 CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

The parting of men is seldom a maudlin affair. The king's

relations presented me bullocks, cows, goats, and sheep. His

majesty sent me five slaves. Sulimani-Ali offered a splendid

•white charger. The king's wife supplied me with an African

quilt ingeniously woven of red and yellow threads unravelled

from Manchester cottons;while Ahmah-de-Bellah, like a gentle-

man of taste, despatched for my consolation, the two prettiest

handmaidens he could buy or steal in Timbo !

:WENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 183

CHAPTER XXV.

1 SHALJ not weary the reader with a narrative of my journey

Loiuevfa rd over the track I had followed on my way to Timbo.

A gran'l Mahometan service was performed at my departure, and

Ahmnbde-Bellah accompanied me as far as Jallica, whence he

was r(;( ailed by his father in consequence of a serious family dis-

pute that required his presence. Ali-Ninpha was prepared, in

this place, to greet me with a welcome, and a copious supply of

gold, wax, ivory, and slaves. At Tamisso, the worthy Mahome-

doo had complied with his promise to furnish a similar addition

to tho caravan;

so that when we set out for Kya, our troop was

swelled to near a thousand strong, counting men, women, children

and ragamuffins.

At Kya I could not help tarrying four days with my jolly

fri€n'i Ibrahim, who received the tobacco, charged with "bitters,"

during my absence, and was delighted to furnish a nourishing

drop after my long abstinence. As we approached the coast,

anotter halt was called at a favorable encampment, where Ali-

Ninpha divided the caravan in four parts, reserving the best

portion of slaves and merchandise for me. The division, before

arrival, was absolutely necessary, in order to prevent disputes or

disastrous quarrels in regard to the merchantable quality of

negroes on the beach.

I hoped to take my people by surprise at Kambia;but when

the factory came in sight from the hill-tops back of the settle-

184 CAPTAIN canot; OB.,

inent, I saw the Spanish flag floating from its summit, and heard

the cannon booming forth a welcome to the wanderer. Every

thing had been admirably conducted in my absence. The Fullah

and my clerk preserved their social relations and the public tran

quillity unimpaired. My factory and warehouse were as neat and

orderly as when I left them, so that I had nothing to do but goto sleep as if I had made a day's excursion to a neighboring vil-

lage.

Within a week I paid for the caravan's produce, despatched

Mamide-Yong, and made arrangements with the captain of a

slaver in the river for the remainder of his merchandise. Butthe Fullah chief had not left me more than a day or two, when I

was surprised by a traveller who dashed into my factory, with a

message from Ahmah-de-Bellah at Timbo, whence he had postedin twenty-one days.

Ahmah was in trouble. He had been recalled, as I said,

from Jallica by family quarrels. When he reached the paternal

mat, he found his sister Beeljie bound hand and foot in prison,

with orders for her prompt transportation to my factory as a

slave. These were the irrevocable commands of his royal father,

and of her half-bi-other, Sulimani. All his appeals, seconded

by those of his mother, were unheeded. She must be shippedfrom the Rio Pougo ;

and no one could be trusted with the task

but the Ali-Mami's son and friend, the Moniro Teodor !

To resist this dire command, Ahmah charged the messengerto appeal to my heart by our brotherly love, not to allow the

maiden to be sent over sea; but, by force or stratagem, to ret*in

her until he arrived on the beach.

The news amazed me. I knew that African Mahometansnever sold their caste or kindred into foreign slavery, unless

their crime deserved a penalty severer than death. I reflected

a while on the message, because I did not wish to complicate

my relations with the leading chiefs of the interior; but, in a

few moments, natural sensibility mastered every selfish impulse,and I told the envoy to hasten back on the path of the sufier-

ing brother, and assure him I would shield his sister, even at

the risk of his kindred's wrath.


About a week afterwards I was aroused one morning by a

ruDLer from a neighboring village over the hill, who stated that

a courier reached his town the night before from Suliraani-Ali,—a prince of Tinibo,

—conducting a Fullah girl, who was to be

Bold by me immediately to a Spanish slaver. The girl, he said,

resisted with all her energy. She refused to walk. For the last

four days she had been borne along in a litter. She swore never

to " see the ocean;

" and threatened to dash her skull againstthe first rock in her path, if they attempted to carry her further.

The stanch refusal embarrassed her Mahometan conductor, inas-

much as his country's law forbade him to use extraordinary com-

pulsion, or degrade the maiden with a whip.

I saw at once that this delay and hesitation afforded an op-

portunity to interfere judiciously in behalf of the spirited girl,

whose sins or faults were still unknown to me. Accordingly, I

imparted the tale to Ali-Ninpha ; and, with his consent, des-

patched a shrewd dame from the Mandiugo's harem, with direc-

tions for her conduct to the village. "Woman's tact and woman's

sympathy are the same throughout the world, and the proud am-

bassadress undertook her task with pleased alacrity. I warned

her to be extremely cautious before the myrmidons of Sulimani,

but to seize a secret moment when she might win the maiden's

confidence, to inform her that I was the sworn friend of Ahmah-

de-Bellah, and would save her if she followed my commands

imjilicitly She must cease resistance at once. She must come

to the river, which was fresh water, and not salt;and she must

allow her jailors to fulfil all the orders they received from her

tyrannical kinsmen. MuflBed in the messenger's garments, I sent

the manuscript Koran of Ahmah-de-Bellah as a token of mytruth, and bade the dame assure Bceljie that her brother was

already far on his journey to redeem her in Kambia.

The mission was successful, and, early next day, the girl was

brought to my factory, with a rope round her neck.

The preliminaries for her purchase were tedious and formal.

As her sale was compulsory, thpre was not much question as to

quality or price. Still, I was obliged to promise a multitude of

things I did not intend to perform. In order to disgrace the


poor creature as much as possible, her sentence declared she

should be "sold for salt,"—the most contemptuous of all African

exchanges, and used in the interior for the purchase of caitle

alone.

Poor Beeljie stood naked and trembling before us while these

ceremonies were performing. A scowl of indignation flitted like

a shadow over her face, as she heard the disgusting commands.

Tenderly brought up among the princely brood rf Timbo, she was

a bright and delicate type of the classes I described at the brook-

side. Her limbs and features were stained by the dust of travel,

and her expression was clouded with the grief of sensible degra-

dation: still I would have risked more than I did, when I beheld

the mute appeal of her face and form, to save her from the doom

of Cuban exile.

When the last tub of salt was measured, I cut the rope from

Beeljie's neck, and, throwing over her shoulders a shawl,—in

which she instantly shrank with a look of gratitude,—called the

female who had borne my cheering message, to take the girl to

her house and treat her as the sister of my Fullah brother.

As 1 expected, this humane command brought the emissaryof Sulimani to his feet with a bound. He insisted on the resti-

tution of the woman ! He swore I had deceived him; and, in

fact, went through a Variety of African antics which are not unu-

sual, even among the most civilized of the tribes, when excited

to extraordinary passion.

It was my habit, during these outbursts of native ire, to

remain perfectly quiet, not only until the explosion was over,

but while the smoke was disappearing from the scene. I fas-

tened my eye, therefore, silently, but intensely, on the tiger, fol-

lowing him in all his movements about the apartment, till he

sank, subdued and panting, on the mat. I then softly told him

that this excitement was not only unbecoming a Mahometan gen-

tleman, and fit for a savage alone, but that it was altogetherwasted on the present occasion, inasmuch as the girl should he

put on hoard a slaver in his presence. Nevertheless, I con-

tinued, while the sister of Ahmah was under my roof, her blood

must be respected, and she should be treated in every respect

as a royal person.


I was quite as curious as the reader may be to know the

crime of Beeljie, for, up to that moment, I had not been in-

formed of it. Dismissing the FuUah as speedily as possible, I

hastened to Ali-Ninpha's dwelling and heard the sufferer's story.

The Mahometan princess, whose age surely did not exceed

eighteen, had been promised by the king and her half-brother,

Sulimani, to an old relative, who was not only accused of cruelty

to his harem's inmates, but was charged by Mussulmen with the

heinous crime of eating" unclean flesh." The girl, who seemed

to be a person of masculine courage and determination, resisted

this disposal of her person ; but, while her brother Ahmah was

away, she was forced from her mother's arms and given to the

filthy dotard.

It is commonly supposed that women are doomed to the

basest obedience in oriental lands; yet, it seems there is a Ma-

hometan law,—

or, at least, a FuUah custom,—which saves the

purity of an unwilling bride. The delivery of Beeljie to her

brutal lord kindled the fire of an ardent temper. She furnished

the old gentleman with specimens of violence to which his harem

had been a stranger, save when the master himself chose to in-

dulge in wrath. In fact, the Fullah damsel—half acting, half

in reality—

played the virago so finely, that her husband, after

exhausting arguments, promises and supplications, sent her back

to her kindred witli an insulting message.It was a sad day when she returned to the paternal roof iu

Timbo. Her resistance was regarded by the dropsical despot as

rebellious disobedience to father and brother; and, as neither

authority nor love would induce the outlaw to repent, her barba-

rous parent condemned her to be " a slave to Christians^

Her story ended, I consoled the poor maiden with everyassurance of protection and comfort

; for, now that the excite-

ment of sale and journey was over, her nerves gave way, and she

sank on her mat, completely exhausted. I commended her to

the safeguard of my landlord and the especial kindness of his

women. Esther, too, stole up at night to comfort the sufferer

with her fondling tenderness, for she could not speak the Fullah

language;—and in a week, I had the damsel in capital condition

ready for a daring enterprise that was to seal her fate.


When the Spanish slaver, whose cargo I had just completedwas ready for sea, I begged her captain to aid me In the ship-

ment of '• a 2^'>'incess'''' who had been consigned to my wardship

by her royal relations in the interior, but whom I dared not puton board his vessel until she was beyond the Rio Pongo''s bar.

The officer assented;and when the last boat-load of slaves was

despatched from my barracoon, he lifted his anchor and floated

down the stream till he got beyond the furthest breakers. Here,

with sails loosely furled, and every thing ready for instant depar-

ture, he again laid to, awaiting the royal bonne bouche.

In the mean time, I hurried Beeljie with her friends and

Fullah jailer to the beach, so that when the slaver threw his sails

aback and brought his vessel to the wind, I lost not a moment in

putting the girl in a canoe, with five Kroom en to carry her

through the boiling surf.

" Allah be praised !

"sighed the Fullah, as the boat shot

ahead into the sea;while the girls of the harem fell on the sand

with wails of sorrow. The Kroomen, with their usual skill,

drove the buoyant skifi" swiftly towards the slaver; but, as they

approached the breakers south of the bar, a heavy roller struck

it on the side, and instantly, its freight was struggling in the

surge.

In a twinkling, the Fullah was on the earth, his face buried

in the sand;the girls screamed and tore their garments ;

Ali-

Ninpha's wife clung to me with the grasp of despair ;while I,

stamping with rage, cursed the barbarity of the maiden's parent,

whose sentence had brought her to this wretched fate.

I kicked the howling hypocrite beneath me, and bade him

hasten with the news to Timbo, and tell the wicked patriarch

that the Prophet himself had destroyed the life of his wretched

child, sooner than suffer her to become a Christian's slave.

The Spanish vessel was under full sail, sweeping rapidly out

to sea, and the Kroomen swam ashore without their boat, as the

grieving group slowly and sadly retraced their way along the

river's bank to Kambia.

There was wailing that night in the village, and there waa

wailing in Timbo when the Fullah returned with the tragic story

:5

TWENTY ICARS OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER.. 189

In fact, such was the distracted excitement both on the sea-shore

and in the settlement, that none of my companions had ej-es to

observe an episode of the drama which had been played that

cveninw without rehearsal.

Every body who has been on the coast of Africa, or read of

its people, knows that Kroomen are altogether unaware of anydifference between a smooth river and the angriest wave.

They "would as willingly be upset in the surf as stumble against

a rock. I took advantage of this amphibious nature, to station

a light canoe immediately on the edge of the breakers, and to

order the daring swimmers it contained to grasp the girl the

moment her canoe was purposely vpsct ! I promised the divers

a liberal reward if they lodged her in their boat, or swam with

her to the nearest point of the opposite beach;and so well did

they perform their secret task, that when they drew ashore her

fainting body, it was promptly received by a trusty Eager, who

was in waiting on the beach. Before the girl recovered her

senses she was safely afloat in the fisherman's canoe. His homewas in a village on the coast below

; and, perhaps, it still remains

a secret to this day, how it was that, for years after â girl, the

image of the lost Bccljie, followed the footsteps of Ahmah, the

FullaJi of Tirabo '.

190 CAPTAIN janot; cb.

CHAPTER XXVI.

After my toilsome journey to the interior, my despatch of a

slaver, and my adventurous enterprise in behalf of a Fullah prin-

cess, I thought myself entitled to a long siesta ; but my comfort-

able desires and anticipations vrere doomed to disappointment.I was suddenly stirred from this -willing lethargy by a salute of

twenty-one guns in the offing. Our wonder was almost insup-

portable as to the character of the ceremonious stranger wlio

w'asted powder so profusely, while a boy was despatched to the

top of the look-out tree to ascertain his character. He reported

a schooner anchored opposite Bangalang, sporting a long pendantat the main, and a white ensign at her peak. I took it for grantedthat no man-of-war would salute a native chief, and so concluded

that it was some pretentious Frenchman, unacquainted with the

prudent customs of our demure coast.

The conjecture was right. At nightfall Mr. Ormond—whose

humor had somewhat improved since my return—apprised methat a Gallic slaver had arrived to his consignment with a rich

cargo, and hoped I would join him at breakfast on board, by in-

vitation of the commander.

Next morning, at sunrise, the Mongo and myself met for the

first time after our rupture with apparent cordiality on the deck

of " La Perousc," where we were welcomed with all that cor

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 10 1

diality of grimace for which a half-bred Frenchman is so justlycelebrated. Captain Brulut could not speak English, nor could

Mr. Ormond express himself in French;so we wasted the time

till breakfast was served in discussing his cargo and prospects,

through my interpretation. Fine samples of gaudy calicoes,

French guns, and superior brandy, were exhibited and dwelt on

with characteristic eloquence ;but the Gaul closed his bewitch-

ing catalogue with a shout of joy that made the cabin ring, as

he announced the complement of his cargo to be five hundred

doubloons. The scent of gold has a peculiar charm to African

slavers, and it will readily be supposed that our appetite for the

promised dljcuncr was not a little stimulated by the Spanishcoin. As rapidly as we could, we summed up the doubloons

and his merchandise; and, estimating the entire cargo at about

$17,000, offered him three hundred and fifty negroes for the lot.

The bid was no sooner made than accepted. Our private boats

were sent ashore in search of canoes to discharge the goods, and,

with a relish and spirit I never saw surpassed, we sat down to a

piquant breakfast, spread on deck beneath the awning.I will not attempt to remember the dishes which provoked

our appetites and teased our thirst. We were happy already on

the delightful claret that washed down the viands; but, after

the substantials were gone, coffee was served, and succeeded byhalf a dozen various cordials, the whole being appropriately

capped by the foam of champagne.When the last bumper was quaffed in honor of " La Perouse"

and *'belle France," Captain Brulut called for his writing-desk;

when, at the instant, four men sprung up as if by enchantment

behind the Mongo and myself, and grasping our arms with the

gripe of a vice, held us in their clutches till the carpenter riveted

a shackle on our feet.

The scene passed so rapidly,—the transition from gayety to

outrage was so sharp and violent, that my bewildered mind can-

not now declare with certainty, whether mirth or anger prevailed

at the claptrap trick of this dramatic denouement. I am quite

sure, however, that if I laughed at firyt, I very soon swore;for

I have a distinct recollection of dashing my fist in the poltroon's

face before he could extemporize an explanation.


When our limbs were perfectly secure, the French scoundrel

recommenced his shrugs, bows, grins and congees ;and approach-

ing Mr. Ormond with a sarcastic simper, apprised him that the

petite comedie in which he took part, had been enacted for the

collection of a trifling debt which his excellency the Mongoowed a beloved brother, who, alas ! was no longer on earth to

collect it for himself !

Monsieur le Mongo, he said, would have the kindness to

remember that, several years ago, his brother had left some

two hundred slaves in his hands until called for;and he would

also please to take the trouble to recollect, that the said slaves

had been twice sent for, and twice refused. Monsieur le Mongomust know, he continued, that there was not much law on the

coast of Africa;and that, as he had Monsieur le Mongo's pro-

missory note, or due-bill, for the negroes, he thought this charm-

ing little ruse would be the most amiable and practical mode of

enforcing it ! Did his friend, le Mongo, intend to honor this

draft ? It was properly endorsed, he would see, in favor of the

bearer;

and if the esclaves were quickly forthcoming, the whole

affair would pass off as agreeably and quickly as the bubbles from

a champagne glass.

By this time Ormond was so perfectly stupified by drink, as

well as the atrocity, that he simply burst into a maudlin laugh,

when I looked at him for an explanation of the charge. /,

surely, was not implicated in it; yet, when I demanded the

cause of the assault upon my person, in connection with the

affair, Brulot replied, with a shrug, that as I was Ormond's clerk

when the note was signed, I must have had a finger in the pie ;

and. inasmuch as I now possessed a factory of my own, it would

doubtless be delightful to aid my ancient patron in the liquida-

tion of a debt that I knew to be lawful.

It was altogether useless to deny my presence in the factory,

or knowledge of the transaction, which, in truth, had occurred

long before my arrival on the Rio Pongo, during the clerkship

of my predecessor. Still, I insisted on immediate release. An

hour flew by in useless parley. But the Frenchman was firm,

and swore that nothing would induce him to liberate either of us

Without payment of the bill. While we were talking, a crowd


of canoes was seen shoving off from Bangalang, filled with armed

men; whereupon the excited Gaul ordered his men to quarters,

and double-shotted his guns.

As the first boat came within striking distance, a ball was

fired across her bows, which not only sent back the advance, but

made the entire fleet tack ship and steer homeward in dismay.

Soon after, however, I heard the war-drum beating in Bangalang,

and could see the natives mustering in great numbers along the

river banks; yet, what could undisciplined savages effect against

the skinned teeth of our six-pounders ?' At sunset, however, my

clerk came off, with a white flag,and the captain allowed him to

row alongside to receive our orders in his presence. Ormond

was not yet in a state to consult as to our appropriate means of

rescue from the trickster's clutches;so I directed the young

man to return in the morning with changes of raiment; but, in

the mean while, to desire the villagers of both settlements to

refrain from interference in our behalf An excellent meal, with

abundance of claret, was served for our entertainment, and, on a

capital mattress, we passed a night of patient endurance in our

iron stockings.

At daylight, water and towels were served for our refresh-

ment. After coffee and cigars were placed on the board, Brulot

put by his sarcasm, and, in an off-hand fashion, demanded whe-

ther we had come to our senses and intended to pay the debt ?

My Italian blood was in a fever, and I said nothing. Ormond,

however,—now entirely sober, and who was enjoying a cigar

with the habitual insouciance of a mulatto,—replied quietly that

he could make no promises or arrangements whilst confined on

board, but if allowed to go ashore, he would fulfil his obligation

in two or three days. An hour was spent by the Frenchman in

pondering on the proposal ;when it was finally agreed that the

Mongo should be set at liberty, provided he left, as hostages,

four of his children and two of the black chiefs who visited him

in my boat. The compact was sealed by the hoisting of a flag

under the discharge of a blank cartridge ; and, in an hour, the

pledges were in the cabin, under the eye of a sentry, while the

Mongo was once more in Bangalang.

9


Tlêse negotiations, it will be perceived, did not touch m-g

case, though I was in no manner guilty ; yet I assented to the

proposal because I thought that Ormond would be better able

than myself to find the requisite number of slaves at that mo-

ment. I ordered my clerk, however, to press all the indifferent

and useless servants in my factory, and to aid the Mongo with

every slave at present in my harracoon.

Before sunset of that day, this young man came aboard with

fifty negroes from my establishment, and demanded my release.

It was refused. Next day forty more were despatched by the

Mongo ;but still my liberty was denied. I upbraided the

scoundrel with his meanness, and bade him look out for the dayof retribution. But he snapped his fingers at my threat as he

exclaimed :

" Cher ami, ce iCest que lafortune de guerre !"

It was a task of difficulty to collect the remaining one hun-

dred and ten slaves among factories which had been recently

drained by Cuban vessels. Many domestic menials escaped to

the forest when the story became known, as they did not wish to

take the place of their betters in the " French service."

Thrice had the sun risen and set since I was a prisoner.

During all the time, my blood tingled for revenge. I was

tricked, humbled and disgraced. Never did I cease to pray for

the arrival of some well-armed Spanish slaver ; and, towards

evening of the fourth day, lo ! the boon was granted ! That

afternoon, a boat manned by negroes, passed with the Span-ish flag ; but, as there was no white man aboard, Brulot took it

for a ruse of the Mongo, designed to alarm him into an uncon-

ditional release of his captives.

I must do the Gaul the justice to declare, that during myconfinement, he behaved like a gentleman, in supplies from the

pantry and spirit room. Neither was he uncivil or unkind in his

general demeanor. Indeed, he several times regretted that this

was the only means in his power"to collect a promissory note

on the coast of Africa;

"yet, I was not Christian enough to

sympathize with the sheriff, or to return his compliments with

any thing but a curse. But, now that a Spaniard was within

hail, I felt a sudden lifting of the weight that was on my heart.


I shouted for champagne ! The steward brought it with alac-

rity, and poured with trembling hand the bumpers I drained to

Saint Jago and old Spain. The infection soon spread. They

began to believe that a rescue was at hand. The news was

heard with dismay in the forecastle. Brulot alone stood obsti-

nate, but indecisive.

Presently, I called him to join me in a glass, and, as wedrank the foaming liquid, I pledged him to another " within

twenty-four hours beneath the Spanish flag." The Gaul feigneda sort of hectic hilarity as he swallowed the wine and the toast,

but he could not stand the flash of revenge in my eye and burn-

ing cheek, and retired to consult with his officers.

IQ6 CAPTAIN canot; or.

CHAPTEE XXVII.

I SLEPT soundly that night ;but the sun was not clear of the

forest when I hobbled on deck in my shackles, and was searching

the seaward horizon for my beloved Castilian. Presently the

breeze began to freshen, and the tall, raking masts of a schooner

were seen gliding above the tops of the mangroves that masked

the Rio Pongo's mouth. Very soon the light wind and tide

drifted her clear of the bends, and an anchor was let go within

musket-shot of my prison, while springs were run out to the

bushes to give range to her broadside. I saw at once, from her

manoeuvres, that Ormond had communicated with the craft dur-

ing the night.

Brulot felt that his day was over. The Spaniard's decks

were crowded with an alert, armed crew;four charming little

bull-dogs showed their muzzles from port holes;while a large

brass swivel, amidships, gave token of its readiness to fight or

salute. For a minute or two the foiled Frenchman surveyed the

scene through his glass ; then, throwing it over his shoulder,

ordered the mate to strike off my'' darbies." As the officer

obeyed, a voice was heard from the Spaniard, commanding a

boat to be sent aboard, under penalty of a shot if not instantly

obeyed. The boat was lowered;but who would man her ? The

chief officer refused;the second declined

;the French sailora


objected; the Creoles and inulattoes from St. Thomas •went

below;so that no one was left to fulfil the slaver's order but

Brulut or myself." Bicn !

" said my crest-fallen cock,"

it's your turn to crow,

Don T6odore. Fortune seems on your side, and you are againfree. Go to the devil, if you please, ?no)i caniarade, and send

your imps for the slaves as soon as you want them !

"

By this time the Spaniard had lighted his matches, levelled

his guns, and, under the aim of his musketry, repeated the order

for a boat. Seeing the danger of our party, I leaped to the bul-

warks, and hailing my deliverer in Spanish, bade him desist.

The request was obeyed as I threw myself into the yawl, cut the

rope, and, alone, sculled the skiff to the slaver.

A shout went up from the deck of my deliverer as I jumpedaboard and received the cordial grasp of her commander. Ali-

Ninpha, too, was there to greet and defend me with a chosen

band of his people. While I was absorbed in the joy of wel-

come and liberation, the African stole with his band to the

Frenchman's boat, and was rapidly filling it to board the foe,

when my clerk apprised me of the impending danger. I was

fortunate enough to control the enraged savage, else I know not

what might have been the fate of Brulot and the officers duringthe desertion of his mongrel and cowardly crew.

The captain desired his mates to keep an eye on the Gaul

whilo we retired to the cabin for consultation;

and here I

learned that I was on board the "Esperanza," consigned to me

.from Matanzas. In turn, I confirmed the account they had

already heard of my mishap from the Mongo's messengers ;but

hoped the Cuban captain would permit me to take pacific revengeafter my own fashion, inasmuch as my captor

—barring the irons

—had behaved with uncommon civility. I had no trouble, of

course, in obtaining the commander's assent to this request,

though he yielded it under the evident displeasure of his crew,

whose Spanish blood was up against the Frenchman, and would

willingly have inflicted a signal punishment on this neutral

ground.

After these preliminaries, Captain Escudero and myself re-


turned to the " La Perouse " with two boat-loads of armed foL

lowers, while our approach was covered by the cannons and small

arms of the "Esperanza." Brulot received us in moody silence

on the quarter-deck. His officers sat sulkily on a gun to lee-

ward, while two or three French seamen walked to and fro on

the forecastle.

My first command was to spike the vessel's guns. Next, I

decreed and superintended the disembarkation of the stolen

slaves; and, lastly, I concluded the morning call with a request

that Brulut would irrodiice the five hundred doubloons and his

^'promissory 7iote''^

for two hundred slaves!

The fatal document, duly indorsed, was quickly delivered,

but no persuasion or threat induced the angry Gaul to show

his gold, or a manifest of the cargo.

After ample indulgence, I despatched a man to seek his

writing-desk, and discovered that six- hundred doubloons had

in reality been shipped in St. Thomas. Of course, their produc-tion was imperiously demanded

;but Brulot swore they had

been landed, with his supercargo, in the neighboring Rio Nunez.

I was near crediting the story, when a slight sneer I perceived

flickering over the steward's face, put me on the qui vive to request

an inspection of the log-book, which, unfortunately for my cap-

tor, did not record the disembarkation of the cash. This demon-

strated Brulot's falsehood, and authorized a demand for his trunk.

The knave winced as the steward descended to bring it;and he

leaped with rage as I split it with a hatchet, and counted two

hundred and fifty Mexican doubloons on the deck. His cargo,

however^ jnoved to he a sham of samples.

Turning innocently to Escudero, I remarked that he must

have been put to considerable trouble in rescuing me from this

outlaw, and hoped he would sufi"er his men to be recompensedfor their extra toil under the rays of an African sun. I would

not venture to judge the value of -such devoted services;but

requested him to fix his own price and receive payment on the

spot.

Escudero very naturally supposed that about two hundred

and fifty Mexican ounces would compensate him to a fraction^

TWENTY TEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. ;99

and, accordingly, the two hundred and fifty shiners, glistening on

the deck, forthwith returned to their bag and went overboard into

his boat.

" Adieu ! mon cher,^'' said I, as I followed the gold ;

" la

fortune dc gncrrc has many phases, you see;how do you like

tliis one ? The next game you play on the coast of Africa, mychicken, recollect that though a knave can take a trick, yet the

knave may he trumped before the hand is played out !"

20f CAPTAIN CANOT '

OR,

CHAPTER XXVIII.

La Esperanza discharged her cargo rapidly, but, before I was

ready to send back a living freight, poor Escudero fell a victim

to African fever.

I had seen much of the country ;I had made some money ;

my clerk was a reliable fellow;I was growing somewhat anxious

for a change of scene; and, in fact, I only wanted a decent ex-

cuse to find myself once more aboard a " skimmer of the seas,"

for a little relaxation after the oppressive monotony of a slaver's

life. Escudero's death seemed to offer the desired opportunity.

His mate was an inexperienced seaman;his officers were unac-

quainted with the management of a slave cargo ; and, upon a

view of the whole field of interests, I thought it best to take

charge of the schooner and pay a visit to my friends in Cuba.

In the mean time, however, a Danish brig arrived for negroes,

so that it became necessary for me, with my multiplied duties,

to bestir myself in the collection of slaves.

Whilst I was dining one afternoon at Ormond's factory with

the Danish captain of the trader, the boom of a gun, followed

rapidly by two or three more, announced the arrival of another

craft. We drank a toast to his advent, and were beginning to

condole a little over our difficulty in procuring blacks, when the


look-out ran into our room with the report that my Spaniardwas firing into the Dane. Wc rushed to the piazza whence the

scene of action might be beheld, and another shot from my ves-

sel seemed to indicate that she was the aggressor. The Dane

and myself hurried aboard our respective schooners, but when I

reached the Esperauza, my crew were wcigliing anchor, while the

quarterdeck was strewn with firearms. The mate stood on the

heel of the bowsprit, urging his men to alacrity ;the sailors hove

at the windlass with mingled shouts of passion and oaths of

revenge ;on a mattress lay the bleeding form of my second offi-

cer, while a seaman groaned beside him with a musket ball in

his shoulder.

My arrival was the signal for a pause. As quickly as possi-

ble, I inquired into the affray, wliich had originated like many a

sailor's dispute, on a question of precedence at the watering

place in a neighboring brook. The Danes were seven, and we

but three. Our Spaniards had been driven off, and my second

mate, in charge of the yawl, received a trenchant blow from an

oar-blade, which cut his skull and felled him senseless on the

Band.

Of course," the watering

" was over for the day, and both

boats returned to their vessels to tell their stories. The mo-

ment the Danes got on board, they imprudently ran up their

ensign ; and, as this act of apparent defiance occurred just as the

Esperanza was receiving the lifeless form of her officer, my ex-

cited crew discharged a broadside in reply to the warlike token.

Gun followed gun, and musketry rattled against musketry The

Dane miscalculated the range of the guns, and his grape fell

short of my schooner, while our snarling sixes made sad havoc

with his bulwarks and rigging.

I had hardly learned the facts of the case and thought of a

truce, when the passionate Northman sent a round-shot whistling

over my head. Another and another followed in its wake, but

they aimed too high for damage. At twenty-four our blood is

not so diplomatically pacific as in later ycar.s, and this second

aggression rekindled the lava in my Italian veins. There was

ao longer question of a white flag or a parley. In a twinkling,

9»


I slipped my cable and ran up the jib and mainsail, so as t<»

Bwing the schooner into a raking position at short quarters ;and

before the Dane could counteract my manoeuvre, I gave him a

dose of grape and cannister which tore his ensign to ribbons and

spoiled the looks of his hull materially. My second shot splin-

tered the edge of his mast;but while I was making ready for a

third, to tickle him betwixt wind and water, down tumbled his

impertinent pendant and the day was won.

For a while there was a dead silence between the warriors.

Neither hailed nor sent a boat on board of the other. Ormond

perceived this cessation of hostilities from his piazza at Banga-

lang, and coming out in a canoe, rowed to the Dane after hear-

ing my version of the battle.

I waited anxiously either for his return or a message, but as

I was unadvised of the Mongo's views and temper in regard to

the affray, I thought it well, before dark, to avoid treachery by

quitting the river and placing my schooner in a creek with her

broadside to the shore. Special charge was then given to the

mate and men to be alert all night long ;after which, I went

on shore to protect the rear by placing my factory in a state

of defence.

But my precautions were needless. At daylight the guard

brought us news of the Dane's departure, and when I descended

the river to Bangalang, Ormond alleged that the slaver had

sailed for Sierra Leone to seek succor either from a man-of-war

or the British government.It may be supposed that I was not so "

green"

in Africa as

to believe this story. No vessel, equipped for a slave cargo,would dare to enter the imperial colony. Yet the Northmanhad bitter cause for grief and anger. His vessel was seriouslyharmed by my grape-shot ]^

his carpenter was slain during the

action;and three of his seaman were lingering with desperate

wounds. In a few days, however, he returned to the Rio Pongofrom his airing on the Atlantic, where his wrath had probablybeen somewhat cooled by the sea-breeze. His craft was anchored

higher up the river than my Spaniard, and thus our crews avoided

intercourse for the future.


But this was not the case with the captains. The Mongo'stable was a sort of neutral ground, at which we met with cold

salutations but without conversation. Ormond and the Dane,

however, became exceedingly intimate. Indeed, the mulatto

appeared to exhibit a degree of friendship for the MargaritanI had never seen him bestow on any one else. This singularity,

together with his well-known insincerity, put me on my guard to

watch his proceedings with increased caution.

Personal observation is always a safe means of self-assurance;

yet I have sometimes found it to be " a way of the world,"—not to be altogether scorned or disregarded,

—to purchase the

good will of " confidential"

persons. Accordingly, I made it

" worth the while " of Ormond's body-servant to sift the secret

of this sudden devotion;and in a few days the faithless slave,

who spoke English remarkably well, told me that the Dane, bydint of extra pay and the secret delivery of all his spare pro-

visions and the balance of his cargo, had induced the Mongoto promise the delivery of his slaves before mine.

Now, Ormond, by a specific contract,—made and paid for

before the Dane's arrival,—owed me two hundred negroes on

account of the Esperanza's cargo. The Dane knew this per-

fectly, but my severe chastisement rankled in his heart, and made

him seek revenge in the most eft'ectual way on the coast of Africa.

He was bent upon depriving me of one hundred negroes, in the

hands of Mr. Ormond.

I said nothing of my discovery, nor did I make any remarks

on the astonishing love that existed between these Siamese twins;

still, I kept my eye on Ormond's harracoon until I found his

stock had gradually augmented to three hundred. Thereupon,I dropped in one morning unceremoniously, and, in a gentle

voice, told him of his treacherous design. My ancient patronwas so degraded by debauchery, that he not only avoided a pas-

sionate outburst when I made the charge, but actually seemed

to regard it as a sort of capital joke, or recompense for the dam-

age I had inflicted on the Dane ! We did not dream of arguincf

the propriety or impropriety of his conduct;nor did I think of

upbraiding him with baseness, as I would have done any cub

204 CAPTAIN CANOT : OR,

who had dipped only his finger-tips in fraud. Still, ever and

anon, I saw a glimmer of former spirit in the wretch, and thoughtI would attempt a counter-mine of interest, which Ormond might

probably understand and grasp. I resolved, in fact, to outbid

the Dane, for I thought I possessed a card that could take him.

Accordingly, I ofi"ered to surrender a bond for one hundred slaves

he owed me on account of the Esperanza ;I promised, moreover,

one hundred and fifty negroes, to be delivered that evening,—and

I tendered BruloVs •promissory note for the missing two hun-

dred darkies,—if he would pledge himself to load the Dane

during the succeeding night !

Ormond took the hint like tinder, and grasped my hand on the

bargain. The^ Dane was ordered to prepare his vessel to receive

cargo without delay, and was specially desired to drop downaboutfifteen miles towards the bar, so as to be off the moment his

slaves were under hatches I

For the next six hours there was not a busier bee on the Rio

Pongo than Don Teodore. My schooner was put in ship-shapefor cargo. The mate was ordered to have his small arms and

cutlasses in perfect condition. Our pivot gun was double-loaded

with chain-shot. My factory was set in order, and written direc

tions given the clerk in anticipation of a four months' absence.

Ali-Ninpha was put in charge of the territorial domain, while

my Spaniard was intrusted with the merchandise.

It was encouraging to see, in the course of the afternoon, that

my northern rival had swallowed the bait, for he borrowed a

kedge to aid him, as he said, in descending the river against the

tide, in order to "get a better berth?'' He found the trees and

air uncomfortable sixteen miles from the bar, and wanted to

approach it to be " nearer the sea-breeze !

" The adroitness of

his excuse made me laugh in my sleeve, as the clumsy trickster

shot past me with his sails unbent.

Well,—night came on, with as much darkness as ever robes

the starlit skies of Africa when the moon is obscured. My longboat was quickly filled with ten men, armed with pistol and cut-

lass;and in a short time, the canoes from Bangalang hove in sight

with their sable burden. I boarded the first one myself, com-


manding the rowers to pull for my Spaniard. The second was

seized by the mate, who followed in my wake. The third, fourth,

fifth and sixth, shared the same fate in rapid succession;

so

that, in an hour, three hundred and seventy-five negroes were

safe beneath the Esperanza's deck. Thereupon, T presented the

headman of each canoe a document acknowledging the receipt of

his slaves, and wrote an order on the Mo7igo i?i favor of the

Da7ic,for the full amou?it of the darkies I had borrmved !

The land wind sprang up and the tide turned when daylightwarned mc it was time to be oflF; and, as I passed the Dane

snugly at anchor just inside the bar, I called all hands to givethree cheers, and to wish him happiness in the "

enjoyment of

Lis sea-breeze."

206 CAPTAIN canot: OIU

CHAPTEE XXIX.

When the land breeze died away, it fell entirely calm, and tLt

Bea continued an unruffled miri'or for three days, during which

the highlands remained in sight, like a faint cloud in the east.

The glaring sky and the reflecting ocean acted and reacted on

each other until the air glowed like a furnace. During night a

dense fog enveloped the vessel with its clammy folds. Whenthe vapor lifted on the fourth morning, our look-out announced

a sail from the mast-head, and every eye was quickly sweepingthe landward horizon in search of the stranger. Our spies alongthe beach had reported the coast clear of cruisers when I sailed,

so that I hardly anticipated danger from men-of-war;neverthe

les^, we held it discreet to avoid intercourse, and accordingly,our double-manned sweeps Avere rigged out to impel us slowlytowards the open ocean. Presently, the mate went aloft with

his glass, and, after a deliberate gaze, exclaimed :

" It is onlythe Dane,—I see his flag." At this my crew swore they would

sooner fight than sweep in such a latitude; and, with three

cheers, came aft to request that I would remain quietly where I

was until the Northman overhauled us.

We made so little headway Avith oars that I thought the dif-

ference trifling, whether we pulled or were becalmed. Perhaps,it might be better to keep the hands fresh, if a conflict provedinevitable. I passed quickly among the men, with separate in-


quiries as to their readiness for battle, and found all—from the

boy to the mate—anxious, at every hazard, to do their duty.

Our breakfast was as cold as could be served in such a climate

but I made it palatable with a case of claret.

When a sail on the coast of Africa heaves in sight of a slaver^

it is always best for the imperilled craft, especially if gifted with

swift hull and spreading wings, to take flight without the courte-

sies that are usual in mercantile sea-life. At the present day,

fighting is, of course, out of the question, and the valuable prize

is abandoned by its valueless owners. At all times, however,—and as a guard against every risk, whether the cue be to fight or

fl}',—the prudent slaver, as soon as he finds himself in the neigh-

borhood of unwholesome canvas, puts out his fire, nails his fore-

castle, sends his negroes below, and secures the gratings over his

hatches.

All these preparations were quietly made on board the Espe-

runza; and, in addition, I ordered a supply of small arms and

ammunition on deck, where they were instantly covered with

blankets. Every man was next stationed at his post, or where

he might be most serviceable. The cannons were sponged and

loaded with care; and, as I desired to deceive our new acquaint-

ance, I ran up the Portuguese flag. The calm still continued as

the day advanced;

—indeed, I could not perceive a breath of air

by our dog-vane, which veered from side to side as the schooner

rolled slowly on the lazy swell. The stranger did not approach.

nor '/id we advance. There we hung—"A painted ship upon a painted ocean !

"

I 'annot describe the fretful anxiety which vexes a mind under

r'ch circumstances. Slaves below;

a blazing sun above;the

foiling sea beneath;a withering air around

;decks piled with

materials of death; escape unlikely ;

a phantom in chase behind;

the ocean like an unreachable eternity before; uncertainty every

where; and, within your skull, a feverish mind, harassed by

doubt and responsibility, yet almost craving for any act of des-

peration that will remove the spell. It is a living night-mare,

from which the soul pants to be free.


With torments like these, I paced the deck for half an houi

beneath the awning, when, seizing a telescope and mounting the

rigging, I took deliberate aim at the annoyer. He was full

seven or eight miles away from us, but very soon I saw, or fan-

cied I saw, a row of ports, which the Dane had not : then sweep-

ing the horizon a little astern of the craft, I distinctly made out

three boats, fully manned, making for us with ensigns flying.

Anxious to avoid a panic, I descended leisurely, and ordered

the sweeps to be spread once more in aid of the breeze, which,within the last ten minutes, had freshened enough to fan us alongabout a knot an hour. Next, I imparted my discovery to the

officers; and, passing once more among the men to test their

nerves, I said it was likely they would have to encounter an

angrier customer than the Dane. In fact, I frankly told themour antagonist was unquestionably a British cruiser of ten or

twelve guns, from whose clutches there was no escape, vmless we

repulsed the boats.

I found my crew as confident in the face of augmented risk

as they had been when we expected the less perilous Dane.

Collecting their votes for fight or surrender, I learned that all

but tico were in favor of resistance. I had no doubt in regardto the onates, in our approaching trials.

By this time the breeze had again died away to utter calm-

ness, while the air was so still and fervent that our swelteringmen almost sank at the sweeps. I ordered them in, threw over-

board several water-casks that encumbered the deck, and hoisted

our boat to the stern-davits to prevent boarding in that quarter.

Things were perfectly ship-shape all over the schooner, and I

congratulated myself that her power had been increased by two

twelve pound carronades, the ammunition, and part of the crew

of a Spanish slaver, abandoned on the bar of Eio Pongo a week

before my departure. We had in all seven guns, and abundance

of musketry, pistols and cutlasses, to be wielded and managed

by thirty-seven hands.

By this time the British boats, impelled by oars alone,

approached within half a mile, while the breeze sprang up in

tat's-paws all round the eastern horizon, but without fanning us

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 20?l

with a single breath. Taking advantage of one of these slants,

the cruiser had followed her boats, but now, about five miles oflF,

was again as perfectly becalmed as we had been all day. Pre-

sently, I observed the boats converge within the range of myswivel, and lay on their oars as if for consultation. I seized this

opportunity, while the enemy was huddled together, to give him

the first welcome; and, slewing the schooner round with my

sweeps, I sent him a shot from my swivel. But the ball passed

over their heads, while, with three cheers, they separated,—the

largest boat making directly for our waist, while the others steered

to cross our bow and uttack our stern.

During the chase my weapons, with the exception of the pivot

gun, were altogether useless, but I kept a couple of sweeps

ahead and a couple astern to play the schooner, and employed

that loud-tongued instrument as the foe approached. The larger

boat, bearing a small carronade, was my best target, yet we con-

trived to miss each other completely until my sixth discharge,

when a double-headed shot raked the whole bank of starboard

oar-blades, and disabled the rowers by the severe concussion.

This paralyzed the launch's advance, and allowed me to devote

my exclusive attention to the other boats; yet, before I could

bring the schooner in a suitable position, a signal summoned the

assailants aboard the cruiser to repair damages. I did not

reflect until this moment of reprieve, that, early in the day, I

had hoisted the Portuguese ensign to deceive the Dayie, and

imprudently left it aloft in the presence of John Btdl ! I struck

the false flag at once, unfurled the Spanish, and refreshing the

men with a double allowance of grog and grub, put them

again to the sweeps. When the cruisers reached their vessels,

the men instantly re-cmbarkcd, while the boats were allowed to

swing alongside, which convinced me that the assault would be

renewed as soon as the rum and roast-beef of Old England had

strengthened the heart of the adversary. Accordingly, noon had

not long passed when our pursuers again embarked. Once more

they approached, divided as before, and again we exchanged

ineffectual shots. I kept them at bay with grape and musketry

until near three o'clock, when a second signal of retreat was

210 CAPTAIN cakot; or,

hoisted on the cruiser, and answered by exultant vivas from mjcrew. It grieved me, I confess, not to mingle my voice with

these shouts, for I was sure that the lion retreated to make a

better spring, nor was I less disheartened when the mate reported

that nearly all the ammunition for our cannons was exhausted.

Seven kegs of powder were still in the magazine, though not

more than a dozen rounds of grape, cannister, or balls, remained

in the locker. There was still an abundance of cartridges for

pistols and musketry, but these were poor defences against reso-

lute Englishmen whose blood was up and who would unques-

tionably renew the charge with reinforcements of vigorous men.

Fore and aft, high and low, we searched for missiles. Musket

balls were crammed in bags ;bolts and nails were packed in

cartridge paper ;slave shackles were formed with rope yarns

into chain-shot; and, in an hour, we were once more tolerably

prepared to pepper the foe.

When these labors terminated, I turned my attention to the

relaxed crew, portions of whom refused wine, and began to sulk

about the decks. As yet only two had been slightly scratched

by spent musket balls;but so much discontent began to appear

among the passenger-sailors of the wrecked slaver, that my own

hands could with difficulty restrain them from revolt. I felt

much difficulty in determining how to act, but I had no time for

deliberation. Violence was clearly not my role, but persuasion

was a delicate game in such straits among men whom I did not

command with the absolute authority of a master. I cast myeye over the taffrail, and seeing that the British boats were still

afar, I followed my first impulse, and calling the whole gang to

the quarter-deck, tried the effect of African palaver and Spanish

gold. I spoke of the perils of capture and of the folly of sur-

rendering a slaver while there was the slightest hope of escape.

I painted the unquestionable result of being taken after such re-

sistance as had already been made. I drew an accurate picture

of a tall and dangerous instrument on which piratical gentlemen

have sometimes been known to terminate their lives;and finally,

I attempted to improve the rhythm of my oratory by a couple of

golden ounces to each combatant, and the promise of a slave

n piece at the end of our successful voyage

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFBICAN SLAVER. - 211

My suspense was terrible, as there,—on the deck of a slaver,

amid calm, heat, battle, and mutiny, with a volcano of three hun-

dred and seventy-five imprisoned devils below me,—I awaited a

reply, wliich, favorable or unfavorable, I must hear without emo-

tion. Presently, three or four came forward and accepted myoffer. I shrugged my shoulders, and took half a dozen turns upand down the deck. Then, turning to the crowd, I doubled mybounty^ and ofiering a boat to take the recusants on board the

enemy, swore that I would stand by the Esparanza with my un-

aided crew in spite of the dastards !

The offensive word with which I closed the harangue seemed

to touch the right string of the Spanish guitar, and in an instant

I saw the dogged heads spring up with a jerk of mortified pride,

while the steward and cabin-boy poured in a fresh supply of

wine, and a shout of union went up from both divisions. I lost

no time in confirming my converts; and, ramming down my elo-

quence with a wad of doubloons, ordered every man to his post,

for the enemy was again in motion.

But he did not come alone. New actors had appeared on the

scene during my engagement with the crew. The sound of the

cannonade had been heard, it seems, by a consort of his Britannic

Majesty's brig* * * *

j

*and^ although the battle was not

within her field of vision, she despatched another squadron of

boats under the guidance of the reports that boomed through the

silent air.

The first division of my old assailants was considerably in ad-

vance of the reinforcement; and, in perfect order, approached us

in a solid body, with the apparent determination of boarding on

the same side. Accordingly, I brought all my weapons and

hands to that quarter, and told both gunners and musketeers not

to fire without orders. Waiting their discharge, I allowed them

to get close; but the commander of the launch seemed to antici-

pate my plan by the reservation of his fire till he could draw

mine, in order to throw his other boat-loads on board under the

* It will be understood by the reader, hereafter, why I omit the

truiser's name.

212 CAPTAIN canot; or,^

smoke of his swivel and small arms. It was odd to witness cui

mutual forbearance, nor could I help laughing, even in the midst

of danger, at the mutual checkmate we were trying to prepare.

However, my Britons did not avoid pulling, though they omit-

ted firing, so that they were already rather perilously close when

I thought it best to give them the contents of my pivot, which I

had crammed almost to the muzzle with bolts and bullets. The

discharge paralyzed the advance, while my rarronades flung a

quantity of grape into the companion boats. In turn, however,

they plied us so deftly with balls from swivels and musketry,that five of our most valuable defenders writhed in death on the

deck.

The rage of battle at closer quarters than heretofore, and the

screams of bleeding comrades beneath their feet, roused to its

fullest extent the ardent nature of my Spanish crew. They tore

their garments ; stripped to their waists;

called for rum;and

swore they would die rather than yield !

By this time the consort's reinforcement was rapidly ap-

proaching; and, with hurrah after hurrah, the five fresh boats

came on in double column. As they drew within shot, each

cheer was followed with a fatal volley, under which several more

of our combatants were prostrated, while a glancing musket ball

lacerated my knee with a painful wound. For five minutes we

met this onset with cannon, muskets, pistols, and enthusiastic

shouts;but in the despairing confusion of the hour, the captain

of our long gun rammed home his ball before the powder, so that

when the priming burnt, the most reliable of our weapons was

silent for ever ! At this moment a round shot from the launch

dismounted a carronade;

—our ammunition was wasted;

—and in

this disabled state, the Britons prepared to board our crippled

craft. Muskets, bayonets, pistols, swords, and knives, for a

space kept them at bay, even at short quarters ;but the crowded

boats tumbled their enraged fighters over our forecastle like

surges from the sea, and, cutlass in hand, the victorious furies

swept every thing before them. The cry was to "spare no one !

"

Down went sailor after sailor, struggling with the frenzied pas-

sion of despair. Presently an order went forth to split the grat-

TWENTY TEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 213

ings and release the slaves. I clung to my post and cheered the

battle to the last;but when I heard this fatal command, which,

if obeyed, might bury assailant and defender in common ruin, I

ordered the remnant to throw down their arms, while I struck

the flag and warned the rash and testy Englishman to beware.

The senior officer of the boarding party belonged to the divi-

sion from the cruiser's consort. As he reached the deck, his cle-

ment eye fell sadly on the scene of blood, and he commanded"quarter

"immediately. It was time. The excited boarders from

the repulsed boats had mounted our deck brimming with revenge.

Every one that opposed was cut down without mercy ;and in an-

other moment, it is likely I would have joined the throng of the

departed.

All was over ! There was a hushed and panting crowd of

victors and vanquished on the bloody deck, when the red ball of

the setting sun glared through a crimson haze and filled the mo-

tionless sea with liquid Sre. For the first time that day I be-

came sensible of personal sufferings. A stifling sensation made

me gasp for air as I sat down on the taffrail of my capturedschooner, and felt that I was—a prisoner !

2U CAPTAIN CANOT; OE,

L

CHAPTER XXX.

After, a brief pause, the commanding officers of both divisiona

demanded my papers, which, while I acknowledged myself his

prisoner, I yielded to the senior personage who had humanely

stopped the massacre. I saw that this annoyed the other, whomI had so frequently repulsed ; yet I thought the act fair as well as

agreeable to my feelings, for I considered my crew competent to

resist the j^rst division successfully, had it not been succored bythe consort's boats.

But my decision was not submitted to by the defeated leader

without a dispute, which was conducted with infinite harshness,until the senior ended the quarrel by ordering his junior to tow

the prize within reach of the corvette * * **. My boat,

though somewhat riddled with balls, was lowered, and I was

commanded to go on board the captor, with my papers and ser-

vant under the escort of a midshipman. The captain stood at

the gangway as I approached, and, seeing my bloody knee,ordered me not to climb the ladder, but to be hoisted on deck

and sent below for the immediate care of my wound. It was

hardly more than a severe laceration of flesh, yet was quite

enough to prevent me from bending my knee, though it did not

deny locomotion with a stiff leg.

The dressing over,—

during which I had quite a pleasant chat


with the amiable surgeon,—I was summoned to the cabin, where

numerous questions were put, all of which I answered franklyand truly. Thirteen of my crew were slain, and nearly all the

rest wounded. My papers were next inspected, and found to be

Spanish." How was it, then," exclaimed the commander,

" that

you fought under the Portuguese flag ?"

There was the question I always expected, and for which I

had in vain taxed my wit and ingenuity to supply a reason-

able excuse ! I had nothing to say for the daring violation of

nationality ;so I resolved to tell the truth boldly about my dis-

pute with the Dane, and my desire to deceive him early in the

day, but I cautiously omitted the adroitness with which I had

deprived him of his darkies. I confessed that I forgot the flag

when I found I had a diiferent foe from the Dane to contend

with, and I flattered myself with the hope that, had I repulsedthe first unaided onset, I would have been able to escape with

the usual sea-breeze.

The captain looked at me in silence a while, and, in a sorrow-

ful voice, asked if I was aware that my defence under the Por-

tuguese ensign, no matter what tempted its use, could only be

construed as an act of piracy !

A change of color, an earnest gaze at the floor, compressed

lips and clenched teeth, were my only replies.

This painful scrutiny took place before the surgeon, whose

looks and expressions strongly denoted his cordial sympathywith my situation.

"Yes," said Captain ****," it is a pity

for a sailor who fights as bravely as you have done, in defence

of what he considers his property, to be condemned for a combi-

nation of mistakes and forgetfulncss. However, let us not has-

ten raa'tters; you are hungry and want rest, and, though we are

navy-men, and on the coast of Africa, we are not savages." I

was then directed to remain where I was till further orders,

•while my servant came below with an abundant supply of pro-

visions. The captain went on deck, but the doctor remained.

Presently, I saw the surgeon and the commander's steward busy

over a basket of biscuits, meat and bottles, to the handle of


which a cord, several yards in length, was carefully knotted.

After this was arranged, the doctor called for a lamp, and un-

rolling a chart, asked whether I knew the position of the vessel.

I replied afl&rmatively, and, at his request, measured the distance,

and noted the course to the nearest land, which was Cape Verga,

about thirty-seven miles oflf.

"Now, Don Teodore, if I were in your place, with the pros-

pect of a noose and tight-rope dancing before me, I have not the

slightest hesitation in saying that I would make an attempt to

know what Cape Verga is made of before twenty-four hours

were over my head ! And see, my good fellow, how Providence,

accident, or fortune favors you ! First of all, your own boat

hajjpeJis to be towing astern beneath these very cabin windows;

secondly, a basket of provisions, water and brandy, stands packed

on the transom, almost ready to slip into the boat by itself;

next, your boy is in the neighborhood to help you with the skiff;

and, finally, it is pitch dark, perfectly calm, and there isn't a

sentry to be seen aft the cabin door. Now, good night, myclever fighter, and let me never have the happiness of seeing yourface again !

"

As he said this, he rose, shaking my hand with the hearty

grasp of a sailor, and, as he passed my servant, slipped some-

thing into his pocket, which proved to be a couple of sovereigns.

Meanwhile, the steward appeared with blankets, which he spreadon the locker

; and, blowing out the lamp, went on deck with a"good night."

It was very still, and unusually dark. There was dead

silence in the corvette. Presently, I crawled softly to the stern

window, and lying flat on my stomach over the transom, peered

out into night. There, in reality, was my boat towing astern bya slack line ! As I gazed, some one on deck above me drew in

the rope with softest motion, until the skiff lay close under the

windows. Patiently, slowly, cautiously,—

fearing the sound of

his fall, and dreading almost the rush of my breath in the pro-

found silence,—I lowered my boy into the boat. The basket

followed. The negro fastened the boat-hook to the cabin wm-

TWENTY YEAUS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 217

dow, and on this, lame as I was, I followed the basket. Fortu-

nately, not a plash, a crack, or a footfall disturbed the silence.

I looked aloft, and no one was visible on the quarter-deck. Aplight jerk brought the boat-rope softly into the water, and I

drifted away into the darkness.

10


CHAPTER XXXI.

I DRIFTED without a word or motion, and almost without breath-

ing, until the corvette was perfectly obliterated against the hazyhorizon. When every thing was dark around me, save the guid-

ing stars, I put out the oars and pulled quietly towards the east.

At day-dawn I was apparently alone on the ocean.

My appetite had improved so hugely by the night's exercise,that my first devotion was to the basket, which I found crammedwith bologna sausages, a piece of salt junk, part of a ham, abun-dance of biscuit, four bottles of water, two of brandy, a pocket

compass, a jack-knife, and a large table-cloth or sheet, which the

generous doctor had no doubt inserted to serve as a sail.

The humbled slaver and the dave^ for the first time in their

lives, broke bread from the same basket, and drank from the

same bottle ! Misfortune had strangely and suddenly levelled uson the basis of common humanity. The day before, he was the

most servile of menials; to-day he was my equal, and, probably,

my superior in certain physical powers, without which I wouldhave perished !

As the sun ascended in the sky, my wound became irritated

by exercise, and the inflammation produced a feverish tormentin which I groaned as I lay extended in the stern-sheets. Bynoon a breeze sprang up from the south-west, so that the oars

and table-cloth supplied a square sail which wafted us about

TWENTY YEABS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 219

three miles an hour, while my boy rigged an awning with the

blankets and boat-hooks. Thus, half reclining, I steered land-

ward till midnight, when I took in the sail and lay-to on the

calm ocean till morning. Next day the breeze again favored us;

and, by sundown, I came up with the coasting canoe of a friendly

Mandingo, into which I at once exchanged my quarters, and fall-

ing asleep, never stirred till he landed me on the Islands de

Loss.

My wound kept me a close and suffering prisoner in a hut on

the isles for ten days during which I despatched a native canoe

some thirty-five or forty miles to the Rio Pongo with news of mydisaster, and orders for a boat with an equipment of comforts.

As my clerk neglected to send a suit of clothes, I was obliged to

wear the Mandingo habiliments till I reached my factory, so

that during my transit, this dress became the means of an odd

encounter. As I entered the Rio Pongo, a French brigantine

near the bar was the first welcome of civilization that cheered

my heart for near a fortnight. Passing her closely, I drifted

alongside, and begged the commander for a bottle of claret. Mybrown skin, African raiment, and savage companions satisfied the

skipper that I was a native, so that, with a sneer, he, of course,

became very solicitous to know " where I drank claret last 1"

ajad pointing to the sea, desired me to quench my thirst with

brine !

It was rather hard for a suffering Italian to be treated so

cavalierly by a Gaul; but I thanked the fellow for his civility in

such excellent French, that his tone instantly changed, and he

asked—" au 910171 de Dieu, where I had learned the language !

"

It is likely I would have rowed off without detection, had I not

just then been recognized by one of his ofi&cers who visited myfactory the year before.

In a moment the captain was in my boat with a bound, and

grasping my hands with a thousand pardons, insisted I should not

ascend the river till I had dined with him. He promised a plate

of capital soup ;

—and where, I should Jike to know, is the son of

France or Italy who is ready to withstand the seduction of such

a provocative ? Besides this, he insisted on dressing «ie from


his scanty wardrobe; but as he declined all subsequent remune

ration, I confined my bodily improvement to a clean shirt and his

wiry razors.

While the hovAllon was bubbling in the coppers, I got an in-

sight into the condition of Rio Pongo concerns since my departure.

The Dane was off after a quarrel with Ormond, who gave him but a

hundred negroes for his cargo ;and a Spanish brig was waiting

my arrival,—for the boy I sent home from the Isles de Loss had

reported my engagement, capture, and escape.

La soupesur la table, we attacked a smoking tureen oi bouillon

gras, while a heaping dish of toasted bread stood in the middle.

The captain loaded my plate with two slices of this sunburnt ma-

terial, which he deluged with a couple of ladles of savory broth,

A long fast is a good sauce, and I need not assert that I begansansfagon. My appetite was sharp, and the vapor of the liquid

inviting. For a while there was a dead silence, save when

broken by smacking and relishing lips. Spoonful after spoonful

was sucked in as rapidly as the heat allowed; and, indeed, I

hardly took time to bestow a blessing on the cook. Being the

guest of the day, my plate had been the first one served, and

of course, was the first one finished. Perhaps I rather hurried

myself, for lenten diet made me greedy and I was somewhat anx-

ious to anticipate the calls of my companions on the tureen. Ac-

cordingly, I once more ballasted my plate with toast, and, with

a charming bow and a civil" sHl vous plait,^' applied, like Oliver

Twist," for more."

As the captain was helping me to the second ladle, he po-

litely demanded whether I was '! fond of the thick;

" and as I

replied in the affirmative, he made another dive to the bottom

and brought up the instrument with a heaping mass in whose cen-

tre was a diminutive African skull, face upwards, gaping at the

guests with an infernal grin !

My plate fell from my hand at the tureen's edge. The boil-

ing liquid splashed over the table. I stood fascinated by the hor-

rible apparition as the captain continued to hold its dreadful

bones in view. Presently my head swam;a painful oppression


weighed at my heart;

I was ill; and, in a jiflFy, the appalling

spectre was laid beneath the calm waters of the Rio Pongo.Before sundown I made a speedy retreat from among the

anthropophagi ; but all their assurances, oaths, and protes-

tations, could not satisfy me that the broth did not owe its sub-

stance to something more human than an African baboon.

222 CAPTAIN canot: or.

CHAPTER XXXII.

There was rejoicing that night in Kambia among my people,

for it is not necessary that a despised slaver should always be

a cruel master. I had many a friend among the villagers, both

there and at Bangalang, and when the '• barker " came from the

Isles de Loss with the news of my capture and misery, the settle-

ment had been keenly astir until it was known that Mongo Teo-

dore was safe and sound among his protectors.

I had a deep, refreshing sleep after a glorious bath. Poor

Esther stole over the palisades of Bangalang to hear the story

from my own lips ; and, in recompense for the narrative, gaveme an account of the river gossip during my adventure. Next

morning, bright and early, I was again in my boat, sweeping

along towards the " Feliz " from Matanzas, which was anchored

within a bowshot of Bangalang. As I rounded a point in sight

of her, the Spanish flag was run up, and as I touched the deck,

a dozen cheers and a gun gave token of a gallant reception in

consequence of my battle with the British, which had been mag-nified into a perfect Trafalgar.

The Feliz was originally consigned to me from Cuba, but in

my absence from the river her commander thought it best not to

intrust so important a charge to my clerk, and addressed her to

Ormond. When my arrival at the Isles de Loss was announced

on the river, his engagement with the Mongo had neither been


entirely completed, nor had any cargo been delivered. Accord-

ingly, the skipper at once taxed his wit for a contrivance by which

he could escape the bargain. In Africa such things are Bome-

tinies done with ease on small pretexts, so that when I reached

Kambia my one-hundred-and-forty-ton brig was ready for her ori-

ginal consignee.

I found that remittances in money and merchandise covered

the value of three hundred and fifty slaves, whom I quickly or-

dered from difiFerent traders;

—but when I applied to the Mongoto furnish his share, the gentleman indignantly refused under the

affront of his recalled assignment. I tried to pacify and persuadehim

; yet all my efforts were unavailing. Still, the results of this

denial did not affect the Mongo personally and alone. When a

factor either declines or is unable to procure trade at an African

Btation, the multitude of hangers-on, ragamuffins, servants and

villagers around him suffer, at least, for a time. They cannot un-

derstand and are always disgusted when " trade is refused." In

this case the people of Bangalang seemed peculiarly dissatisfied

with their Mongo's obstinacy. They accused him of indolent dis-

regard of their interests. They charged him with culpable neg-lect. Several free families departed forthwith to Kambia. His

brothers, who were always material sufferers in such cases, up-

braided him with arrogant conceit. His women, headed by Fa-

timah,—who supplied herself and her companions with abundant

presents out of every fresh cargo,—rose in open mutiny, and de-

clared they would run off unless he accepted a share of the con-

tract. Fatimah was the orator of the harem on this as well as

on all ofher occasions of display or grievance, and of course she

did not spare poor Ormond. Age and drunkenness had made sad

inroads on his constitution and looks during the last half year.

His fretful irritability sometimes amounted almost to madness,when thirty female tongues joined in the chorus of their leader's

assault. They boldly charged him, singly and in pairs, with everyvice and fault that injured matrimony habitually denounces; and as

each item of this abusive litany was screamed in his cars, the chorus

responded with a deep" amen !

"They boasted of their infidel-

ities, lauded their lovers, and producing their children, with

laughs of derision, bade him note the astounding resemblance !


The poor Mongo was sorely beset by these African witches

and summoned his villagers to subdue the revolt;but many of

the town-folks were pets of the girls, so that no one came forth to

obey his bidding.

I visited Ormond at his request on the evening of this rebel-

lion, and found him not only smarting with the morning's insult,

but so drunk as to be incapable of business. His revengeful eyeand nervous movements denoted a troubled mind. "When our

hands met, I found the Mongo's cold and clammy. I refused

wine under a plea of illness;and when, with incoherent phrases

and distracted gestures, he declared his willingness to retract

his refusal and accept a share of the Feliz's cargo, I thought it

best to adjourn the discussion until the following day. Whilst

on the point of embarking, I was joined by the faithless servant,

whom I bribed to aid me in my affair with the Dane, and was

told that Ormond had drugged the wine in anticipation of myarrival I He bade me be wary of the Mongo, who in his pre-

sence had threatened my life. That morning, he said, while the

women were upbraidiug him, my name had been mentioned byone with peculiar favor,

—when Ormond burst forth with a tor-

rent of passion, and accusing me as the cause of all his troubles,

felled the girl to the earth with his fist.

That night I was roused by my watchman to see a stranger,

and found Esther at my gate with three of her companions.Their tale was brief. Soon after dark, Ormond entered the

harem with loaded pistols, in search of Fatimah and Esther;

but the wretch was so stupified by liquor and rage, that the

women had little trouble to elude his grasp and escape from

Bangalang. Hardly had I bestowed them for the night, when

another alarm brought the watchman once more to my chamber,

with the news of Ormond's death. He had shot himself throughthe heart !

I was in no mood for sleep after this, and the first streak of

dawn found me at Bangalang. There lay the Mongo as he fell.

No one disturbed his limbs or approached him till I arrived.

He never stirred after the death-wound.

It seems he must have forgotten that the bottle had


been specially medicated for me, as it was found nearly drained,

but the last thing distinctly known of him by the people, was his

murderous entrance into the harem to despatch Esther and Fati-

mah. Soon after this the crack of a pistol was heard in the gar-

den;and there, stretched among the cassava plants, with a loaded

pistol grasped in his left, and a discharged one at a short dis-

tance from his right hand, laid Jack Ormond, the mulatto ! His

left breast was pierced by a ball, the wad of which still clung to

the bloody orifice.

Bad as this man was, I could not avoid a sigh for his death

He had been my first friend in Africa, and I had forfeited his

regard through no fault of mine. Besides this, there are so few

on the coast of Africa in these lonely settlements among the

mangrove swamps, who have tasted European civilization, and

can converse like human beings, that the loss even of the worst

is a dire calamity. Ormond and myself had held each other for

a long time at a wary distance; yet business forced us together

now and then, and during the truce, we had many a pleasant chat

and joyous hour that would henceforth be lost for ever.

It is customary in this part of Africa to make the burial of a

Mongo the occasion of a colungee, or festival, when all the neigh-

boring chiefs and relations send gifts of food and beverage for

the orgies of death. Messengers had been despatched for Or-

mond's brothers and kinsfolk, so that the native ceremony of in-

terment was postponed till the third day ; and, in the interval, I

was desired to make all the preparations in a style befitting the

suicide's station. Accordingly, I issued the needful orders;

directed a deep grave to be dug under a noble cotton-wood tree,

aloof from the village ; gave the body in charge to women, who

were to watch it until burial, with cries of sorrow,—and then

retired to Kambia. ,

On the day of obsequies I came back. At noon a salute was

fired by the guns of the village, which was answered by minute

guns from the Fcliz and my factory. Seldom have I heard a

sadder sound than the boom of those cannons through the silent

forest and over the waveless water.

Presently, all the neighboring chiefs, princes and kings came

10*


in with their retainers, when the body was brought out into the

shade of a grove, so that all might behold it. Then the proces-

sion took up its line of march, while the thirty wives of the

MoDgo followed the coffin, clad in rags, their heads shaven, their

bodies lacerated with burning iron, and filling the air with yells

and shrieks until the senseless clay was laid in the grave.

I could find no English prayer-book or Bible in the village,

from which I might read the service of his church over Ormond's

remains, but I had never forgotten the Avf Maria and Pater

Noster I learned when an infant, and, while I recited them

devoutly over the self-murderer, I could not help thinking theywere even more than sufficient for the savage surroundings.

The brief prayer was uttered;but it could not be too brief

for the impatient crowd. Its amen was a signal for pandemo-nium,. In a twinkling, every foot rushed back to the dwell-

ing in Bangalang. The grove was alive with revelry. Stakes

and racks reeked with roasting bullocks. Here and there, ket-

tles steamed with boiling rice. Demijohn after demijohn of

rum was served out. Very soon a sham battle was proposed,

and parties were formed. The divisions took their grounds ;

and, presently, the scouts appeared, crawling like reptiles on the

earth till they ascertained each other's position, when the armies

sallied forth with guns, bows, arrows, or lances, and, after firing,

shrieking and shouting till they were deaf, retired with captives,

and the war was done. Then came a reinforcement of rum, and

then a dance, so that the bewildering revel continued in all its

delirium till rum and humanity gave out together, and reeled to

the earth in drunken sleep ! Such was the requiem of

The Mongo of Bangalang !

"WENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 227

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Slaves dropped in slowly at Kambia and Bangalang, though I

still had half the cargo of the Feliz to make up. Time was

precious, and there was no foreigner on the river to aid me. In

this strait, I suddenly resolved on a foray among the natives on

my own account;and equipping a couple of my largest canoes

with an ample armament, as well as a substantial store of pro-

visions and merchandise, I departed for the Matacan river, a

short stream, unsuitable for vessels of considerable draft. I was

prepared for the purchase of fifty slaves.

I reached my destination without risk or adventure, but had

the opportunity of seeing some new phases of Africanism on myarrival. Most of the coast negroes are wretchedly degraded bytheir superstitions and sauvagcrie, and it is best to go amongthem with power to resist as well as presents to purchase. Xheir

towns did not vary from the river and bush settlements gen-

erally. A house was given me for my companions and merchan-

dise; yet such was the curiosity to see the " white man," that

the luckless mansion swarmed with sable bees both inside and

out, till I was obliged to send for his majesty to relieve my suf-

ferings.

After a proper delay, the king made his appearance in all the

paraphernalia of African court-dress. A few fathoms of check


girded his loins, while a blue shirt and red waistcoat were sur

mounted by a dragoon's cap with brass ornaments. His coun-

tenance was characteristic of Ethiopia and royalty. A narrow

forehead retreated rapidly till it was lost in the crisp wool, while

his eyes were wide apart, and his prominent cheek-bones formed

the base of an inverted cone, the apex of which was his braided

beard, coiled up under his chin. When earnest in talk, his ges-

tures were mostly made with his head, by straining his eyes to

the rim of their sockets, stretching his mouth from ear to ear,

grinning like a baboon, and throwing out his chin horizontally

with a sudden jerk. Notwithstanding these personal oddities,

the sovereign was kind, courteous, hospitable, and disposed for

trade. Accordingly, I "dashed," or presented him and his

head-men a few pieces of cottons, with some pipes, beads, and

looking-glasses, by way of whet for the appetite of to-morrow.

But the division of this gift was no sportive matter. " The

spoils" were not regulated upon principles of superiority, or even

of equality ;but fell to the lot of the stoutest scramblers. As

soon as the goods were deposited, the various gangs seized mysnowy cottons, dragging them right and left to their several huts,

while they shrieked, yelled, disputed, and fought in true African

fashion. Some lucky dog would now and then leap between two

combatants who had possession of the ends of a piece, and whirl-

ing himself rapidly around the middle, slashed the sides with

his jack-knife and was oflF to the bush. The pipes, beads, and

looking-glasses, were not bestowed more tenderly, while the to-

bacco was grabbed and appropriated by leaves or handfuls.

Next day we proceeded to formal business. His majesty

called a regular"palaver

" of his chiefs and headmen, before

whom I stated my dantica and announced the terms. Verysoon several young folks were brought for sale, who, I am sure,

never dreamed at rising from last night's sleep, that they were

destined for Cuban slavery ! My merchandise revived the me-

mory of peccadilloes that had been long forgotten, and sentences

that were forgiven. Jealous husbands, when they tasted my rum,

suddenly remembered their wives' infidelities, and sold their bet-

ter halves for more of the oblivious fluid. In truth I was exalt-

TWENTY YEARS OP AN AFRICAN SLAVHR. 229

ed into a magician, unroofing the village, and baring its crime

and wickedness to the eye oi justice. Law became profitable,

and virtue had never reached so high a price ! Before night the

town was in a turmoil, for every man cudgelled his brain for an

excuse to kidnap his neighbor, so as to share my commerce. Asthe village was too small to supply the entire gang of fifty, I had

recourse to the neighboring settlements, where my "barkers," or

agents, did their work in a masterly manner. Traps were

adroitly baited with goods to lead the unwary into temptation,

when the unconscious pilferer was caught by his ambushed foe,

and an hour served to hurry him to the beach as a slave for ever.

In fact, five days were sufficient to stamp my image permanentlyon the Matacan settlements, and to associate my memory with

any thing but blessings in at least fifty of their families !

I had heard, on the Rio Pongo, of a wonderful wizard who

dwelt in this region, and took advantage of the last day of my de-

tention to inquire his whereabouts. The impostor was renowned

for his wonderful tricks of legerdemain, as well as for cures, ne-

cromancy, and fortune-telling. The ill came to him by scores;

credulous warriors approached him with valuable gifts for fe-

tiches against musket balls and arrows; while the humbler class-

es bought his charms against snakes, alligators, sharks, evil spi-

rits, or sought his protection for their unborn children.

My interpreter had already visited this fellow, and gave such

charming accounts of his skill, that all my people wanted their

fates divined, for which I was, of course, obliged to advance mer-

chandise to purchase at least a gratified curiosity. When theycame back I found every one satisfied with his future lot, and

60 happy was the chief of my kroomcn that he danced around

his new fetiche of cock's feathers and sticks, and snapped his

fingers at all the sharks, alligators, and swordfish that swam in

the sea.

By degrees these reports tickled my own curiosity to such a

degree, that, incontinently, I armed myself with a quantity of

cotton cloth, a brilliant bandanna, and a lot of tobacco, where-

with I resolved to attack the soothsayer's den. My credulity


was not involved in the expedition, but I was sincerely anxious

to comprehend the ingenuity or intelligence hy which a negro

could control the imagination of African multitudes.

The wizard chose his abode with skilful and romantic taste.

Quitting the town by a path which ascended abruptly from the

river, the traveller was forced to climb the steep by a series of

dangerous zig-zags among rocks and bushes, until he reached a

deep cave in an elevated cliff that bent over the stream. As we

approached, my conductor warned the inmate of our coming by

several whoops. When we reached the entrance I was directed

to halt until the demon announced his willingness to receive us.

At length, after as much delay as is required in the antechamber

of a secretary of state, a growl, like the cry of a hungry crocodile,

gave token of the wizard's coming.

As he emerged from the deep interior, I descried an uncom-

monly tall figure, bearing in his arms a young and living leopard.

I could not detect a single lineament of his face or figure, for he

was covered from head to foot in a complete dress of monkey

skins, while his face was hidden by a grotesque white mask.

Behind him groped a delicate blind boy.

We seated ourselves on hides along the floor, when, at my bid-

ding, the interpreter, unrolling my gifts, announced that I came

with full hands to his wizardship, for the purpose of learning myfortune.

The impostor had trained his tame leopard to fetch and carry

like a dog, so that, without a word, the docile beast bore the va-

rious presents to his master. Every thing was duly measured,

examined, or balanced in his hands to ascertain its quality and

weight. Then, placing a bamboo between his lips and the blind

boy's ear, he whispered the words which the child repeated

aloud. First of all, he inquired what I wished to know ? As

one of his follower's boasts was the extraordinary power he pos-

sessed of speaking various languages, I addressed him in Span-

ish, but as his reply displayed an evident ignorance of what I

said, I took the liberty to reprimand him sharply in his native

tongue. He waved me off with an imperious flourish of his

hand, and ordered me to wait, as he perfectly comprehended my

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFHICAN SLAVER. 231

Spanish, but the magic power would not suffer him to answer

save in regular rotation, word by word.

I saw his trick at once, which was only one of prompt and

adroit repetition. Accordingly, I addressed him in his native

dialect, and requested a translation of my sentence into Spanish.

But this was a puzzler ; though it required but a moment for

him to assure me that a foreign language could only be spoken

by wizards of his degree at thefull of the moon !

I thought it time to shift the scene to fortune-telling, and

begged my demon to begin the task by relating the past, in order

to confirm my belief in his mastery over the future. But the

nonsense he uttered was so insufferable, that I dropped the cur-

tain with a run, and commanded "the hereafter" to appear.

This, at least, was more romantic. As usual, I was to be im-

mensely rich. I was to become a great prince. I was to have a

hundred wives;but alas ! before six months elapsed, my factory

would be burnt and I should lose a vessel !

Presently, the interpreter proposed an exhibition of legerde-

main, and in this I found considerable amusement to make upfor the preceding buffoonery. He knotted a rope, and untied it

with a jerk. He sank a knife deep in his throat, and poured in

a vessel of water. Other deceptions followed this skilful trick,

but the cleverest of all was the handling of red hot iron, which,after covering his hands with a glutinous paste, was touched in

the most fearless manner. I have seen this trick performed byother natives, and whenever ignited coals or ardent metal was

used, the hands of the operator were copiously anointed with the

pasty unguent.

A valedictory growl, and a resumption of the leopard, gavetoken of the wizard's departure, and closed the evening's enter-

tainments.

If the ease with which a man is amused, surprised, or de

hided, is a fair measure of intellectual grade, I fear that African

minds will take a very moderate rank in the scale of humanity.The task of self-civilization, which resembles the

self-filtering of

water, has done but little for Ethiopia in the ages that have

passed simultaneously over her people and the progressive races


of other lands. It remains to be seen what the infused civiliza*

tion of Christianity and Islamism will effect among these benight-

ed nations Jesl'S. Mahomet, and the Fetiche, will, perhaps,

long continue to be their types of distinctive separation.


CHAPTEK XXXIV.

The Esperanza's capture made it absolutely necessary that I

should visit Cuba, so that, when the Feliz was preparing to de-

part, I began to put my factory and affairs in such order as would

enable me to embark in her and leave me master of myself for a

considerable time. I may as well record the fact here that the

unlucky Esperanza was sent to Sierra Leone, where she was, of

course, condemned as a slaver, while the oflBcers and crew were

despatched by order of the Admiralty, in irons, to Lisbon, where

a tribunal condemned them to the galleys for five years. I un-

derstand they were subsequently released by the clemency of

Don Pedro de Braganza when he arrived from Brazil.

Every thing was ready for our departure. My rice was stored

and about to be sent on board; when, about three o'clock in the

morning of the 25th of May, 1828, the voice of my servant

roused me from pleasant dreams, to fly for life ! I sprang from

the cot with a bound to the door, where the flickering of a bright

flame, reflected through the thick, misty air, gave token of fire.

The roof of my house was in a blaze, and one hundred andfifty

kegs of powder were close at hand beneath a thatch ! Theycould not be removed, and a single spark from the frail and

tinder-like materials might send the whole in an instant to

the skies.

A rapid discharge from a double-barrelled gun brought my


people to the spot with alacrity, and enabled me to rescue the

two hundred and twenty slaves stowed in the barracoon, and

march them to a neighboring wood, where they would be secure un-

der a guard. In my haste to rescue the slaves I forgot to warn

my body servant of his peril from the powder. The faithful boymade several trips to the dwelling to save my personal effects,

and after removing every thing he had strength to carry, return-

ed to unchain the bloodhound that always slept beside my couch

in Africa. But the dog was as ignorant ot his danger as the

youth. He knew no friend but myselj] and tearing the hand

that was exposed to save him, he forced his rescuer to fly. Andwell was it he did so. Within a minute, a tremendous blast

shook the earth, a7id the prediction of the Matacan wizard was

accomplished ! Not even the red coals of my dwelling smoul-

dered on the earth. Every thing was swept as by the breath

of a whirlwind. My terrified boy, bleeding at nose and ears, was

rescued from the ruins of a shallow well in which he fortunately

fell. The bamboo sheds, barracoons, and hovels,—the adobe

dwelling and the comfortable garden—could all spring up again

in a short time, as if by enchantment,—but my rich stuffs, mycottons, my provisions, my arms, my ammunition, my capital,

were dust.

In a few hours, friends crowded round me, according to Afri-

can custom, with proffered services to rebuild my establishment;

but the heaviest loss I experienced was that of the rice designedfor the voyage, which I could not replace in consequence of the

destruction of my merchandise. In my difficulty, I was finally

obliged to swap some of my two hundred and twenty negroes for

the desired commodity, which enabled me to despatch the Feliz,

though I was, of course, obliged to abandon the voyage in her.

My mind was greatly exercised for some time in endeavors

to discover the origin of this conflagration. The blaze was first

observed at the top of one of the gable ends, which satisfied Ali-

Niiipha as well as myself that it was the work of a malicious

incendiary. We adopted a variety of methods to trace or trapthe scoundrel, but our efforts were fruitless, until a strange negroexhibited one of my double-barrelled guns for sale at a neighbor-


iDg village, whose chief happened to recognize it. When the

seller was questioned about his possession of the weapon, he

alleged that it was purchased from inland negroes in a distant

town. His replies were so unsatisfactory to the inquisitive

chief, that he arrested the suspected felon and sent him to

Kambia.

I had but little remorse in adopting any means in my powerto extort a confession from the negro, who very soon admitted

that my gun was stolen by a runner from the wizard of Matacan,who was still hanging about the outskirts of our settlement. I

offered a liberal reward and handsome bribes to get possession

of the necromancer himself, but such was the superstitious awe

surrounding his haunt, that no one dared venture to seize him in

his sanctuary, or seduce him within reach of my revenge. This,

however, was not the case in regard to his emissary. I was soon

in possession of the actual thief, and had little difficulty in

securing his execution on the ruins he had made. Before we

launched him into eternity, I obtained his confession after an

obstinate resistance, and found with considerable pain that a

brother of Ormond, the suicide, was a principal mover in the

affair. The last words of the Mongo had been reported to this

fellow as an injunction of revenge against me, and he very soon

learned from personal experience that Kambia was a serious

rival, if not antagonist, to Bangalang. His African simplicity

made him believe that the " red cock " on my roof-tree would

expel me from the river. I was not in a position to pay him

back at the moment, yet I made a vow to give the new Mongo a

free passage in irons to Cuba before many moons. But this,

like other rash promises, I never kept.

Sad as was the wreck of my property, the conflagration was

fraught with a misfortune that affected my heart far more deeplythan the loss of merchandise. Ever since the day of my landingat Ormond's factory, a gentle form had flitted like a fairy among

my fortunes, and always as the minister of kindness and hope.Skilled in the ways of her double blood, she was my discreet

counsellor in many a peril ; and, tender as a well-bred dame of

civilized lands, slic was ever disposed to promote my happiness by


disinterested offices. But, wlien we came to number the sum-vors of the ruin, Esther was nowhere to be found, nor could I

ever trace, among the scattered fragments, the slightest relic of

the Pariah's form !

Of course, I had very little beside my domestics to leave in

charge of any one at Kambia, and intrusting them to the care

of Ali-Ninpha, I went in my launch to Sierra Leone, where I

purchased a schooner that had been condemned by the MixedCommission.

In 1829, vessels were publicly sold, and, with very little

trouble, equipped for the coast of Africa. The captures in that

region were somewhat like playing a hand,—

taking the tricks,

reshuffling the same cards, and dealing again to take more tricks !

Accordingly, I fitted the schooner to receive a cargo of negroes

immediately on quitting port. My crew was made up of menfrom all nations, captured in prizes ;

but I guardedly selected

my officers from Spaniards exclusively.

We were slowly wafting along the sea, a day or two out of

the British colony, when the mate fell into chat with a clever

lad, who was hanging lazily over the helm. They spoke of voy-

ages and mishaps, and this led the sailor to declare his recent

escape from a vessel, then in the Rio Nunez, whose mate had

poisoned the commander to get possession of the craft. She

had been fitted, he said, at St. Thomas with the feigned design

of coasting ; but, when she sailed for Africa, her register was

sent back to the island in a boat to serve some other vessel, while

she ventured to the continent without papers.

I have cause to believe that the slave trade was rarely con-

ducted upon the honorable principles between man and man,

which, of course, are the only security betwixt owners, command-

ers and consignees whose commerce is exclusively contraband.

There were men, it is true, engaged in it, with whom the "point

of honor " was more omnipotent than the dread of law in regular

trade. But innumerable eases have occurred in which the spend-

thrifts who appropriated their owners' property on the coast of


Africa, availed themselves of such superior force as they hap-

pened to control, in order to escape detection, or assure a favor

able reception in the West Indies. In fact, the slaver some-

times ripened into something very like a pirate !

In 1828 and 1829, severe engagements took place between

Spanish slavers and this class of contrabandists. Spaniards

would assail Portuguese when the occasion was tempting and

propitious. Many a vessel has been fitted in Cuba for these

adventures, and returned to port with a living cargo, purchased

by cannon-balls and boarding-pikes exclusively.

Now, I confess that my notions had become at this epochsomewhat relaxed by my trafl&c on the coast, so that I grew to be

no better than folks of my cloth. I was fond of excitement;

my craft was sadly in want of a cargo ; and, as the mate narrated

the helmsman's story, the Quixotic idea naturally got control of

my brain that I was destined to become the avenger of the

poisoned captain. I will not say that I was altogether stimu-

lated by the noble spirit of justice ;for it is quite possible I

would never have thought of the dead man had not the sailor

apprised us that his vessel was half full of negroes !

As we drifted slowly by the mouth of my old river, I slipped

over the bar, and, while I fitted the schooner with a splendid

nine-pounder amidships, I despatched a spy to the Rio Nunez to

report the facts about the poisoning, as well as the armament of

the unregistered slaver. In ten days the runner verified the

tale. She was still in the stream, with one hundred and eighty-five human beings in her hold, but would soon be off with an

entire cargo of two hundred and twenty-five.

The time was extraordinarily propitious. Every thing favored

my enterprise. The number of slaves would exactly fit myschooner. Such a windfall could not be neglected ; and, on the

fourth day, I was entering the Rio Nunez under the Portuguese

flag, which I unfurled by virtue of a pass from Sierra Leone to

the Cape de Verd Islands.

I cannot tell whether my spy had been faithless, but when I

reached Furcaria, I perceived that my game had taken wingfrom her anchorage. Here was a sad disappointment. The


schooner drew too mucli water to allow a further ascent, and,

moreover, I was unacquainted with the river.

As it was important that I should keep aloof from strangers,

I anchored in a quiet spot, and seizing the first canoe that passed,

learned, for a small reward, that the object of my search was

hidden in a bend of the river at the king's town of Kakundy,which I could not reach without the pilotage of a certain mulatto,

who was alone fit for the enterprise.

I knew this half-breed as soon as his person was described,

but I had little hope of securing his services, either by fair means

or promised recompense. He owed me five slaves for dealingsthat took place between us at Kambia, and had always refused

so strenuously to pay, that I felt sure he would be off to the

woods as soon as he knew my presence on the river. Accord-

ingly, I kept my canoemen on the schooner by an abundant sup-

ply of "bitters," and at midnight landed half a dozen, who pro-

ceeded to the mulatto's cabin, where he was seized sans ceremo-

nie. The terror of this ruffian was indescribable when he found

himself in my presence,—a captive, as he supposed, for the debt

of flesh. But I soon relieved him, and offered a liberal reward

for his prompt, secret and safe pilotage, to Kakundy. The mu-

latto was willing, but the stream was too shallow for my keel.

He argued the point so convincingly, that in half an hour, I

relinquished the attempt, and resolved to make " Mahomet come

to the mountain."

The two boats were quickly manned, armed, and supplied

with lanterns; and, with muffled oars, guided by our pilot,

—whose skull was kept constantly under the lee of my pistol,

—we

fell like vampyres on our prey in the darkness.

With a wild hurrah and a blaze of our pistols in the air, we

leaped on board, driving every soul under hatches without strik-

ing a blow ! Sentries were placed at the cabin door, forecastle

and hatchway. The cable was slipped, my launch took her in

tow, the pilot and myself took charge of the helm, and, before

daylight, the prize was alongside my schooner, transhipping one

hundred and ninety-seven of her slaves, with their necessary

supplies.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRTCAN SLAVER. 239

Great was the surprise of the captured crew when they saw

their fixte;and great was the agony of the poisoner, when he

returned next morning to the vacant anchorage, after a night of

debauch with the king of Kakundy. First of all, he imaginedwe were regular cruisers, and that the captain's death was about

to be avenged. But when it was discovered that they had fallen

into the grasp oi friendly slavers, five of his seamen abandoned

their craft and shipped with me.

We had capital stomachs for breakfast after the night's

romance. Hardly was it swallowed, however, when three canoes

came blustering down the stream, filled with negroes and headed

by his majesty. I did not wait for a salutation, but, giving the

warriors a dose of bellicose grape, tripped my anchor, sheeted

home my sails, and was off like an albatross !

The feat was cleverly achieved; but, since then, I have very

often been taxed by my conscience with doubts as to its strict

morality ! The African slave trade produces singular notions of

meum and tuum in the minds and hearts of tliose who dwell

for any length of time on that blighting coast;and it is not

unlikely that I was quite as prone to the infection as better men,

who perished under the malady, while I escaped I

240 CAPTAIN CANOT; ORj

CHAPTEE XXXV.

It was a sweltering July, and the "rainy season "

proved its

tremendous power by almost incessant deluges. In the breath-

less calms that held me spell-bound on the coast, the rain came

down in such torrents that I often thought the solid water would

bury and submerge our schooner. Now and then, a south-wester

and the current would fan and drift us along ; yet the tenth dayfound us rolling from side to side in the longitude of the Capede Verds.

Day broke with one of its customary squalls and showers.

As the doud lifted, my look-out from the cross-trees announced

a sail under our lee. It was invisible from deck, in the folds of

the retreating rain, but, in the dead calm that followed, the dis-

tant whistle of a boatswain was distinctly audible. Before I

could deliberate, all my doubts were solved by a shot in our main-

sail, and the crack of a cannon. There could bo no question that

the unwelcome visitor was a man-of-war.

It was fortunate that the breeze sprang up after the lull, and

enabled us to carry every thing that could be crowded on our

spars. We dashed away before the freshening wind, like a deer

with the tinleashed hounds pursuing. The slaves were shifted

from side to side—forward or aft—to aid our sailing.' Head-

stays were slackened, wedges knocked off the masts, and every

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 241'

incumbrance cast from the docks into the sea. Now and then, a

fruitless shot from his bow-chasers, reminded the fugitive that

the foe was still on his scent. At last, the cruiser got the

range of his guns so perfectly, that a well-aimed ball ripped

away our rail and tore a dangerous splinter from the foremast,three feet from deck. It was now perilous to carry a press of

sail on the same tack with the weakened spar, whereupon I putthe schooner about, and, to my delight, found we ranged ahead

a knot faster on this course than the former. The enemy" went

about "as quickly as we did, but her balls soon fell short of us,

and, before noon, we had crawled so nimbly to windward, that

her top-gallants alone were visible above the horizon.

Our voyage was uncheckered by any occurrence worthy of

recollection, save the accidental loss of the mate in a dark and

stormy night, until we approached the Antilles. Here, where

every thing on a slaver assumes the guise of pleasure and relief,

I remarked not only the sullenness of my crew, but a disposition

to disobey or neglect. The second mate,—shipped in the Rio

Nunez, and who replaced my lost oflScer,—was noticed occasion-

ally in close intercourse with the watch, while his deportmentindicated dissatisfaction, if not mutiny.

A slaver's life on shore, as well as at sea, makes him warywhen another would not be circumspect, or even apprehensive.The sight of land is commonly the signal for merriment, for a

well-behaved cargo is invariably released from shackles, and

allowed free intercourse between the sexes during daytime on

deck. "Water tanks are thrown open for unrestricted use." The cat "

is cast into the sea. Strict discipline is relaxed.

The day of danger or revolt is considered over, and the captain

enjoys a new and refreshing life till the hour of landing. Sail-

ors, with proverbial generosity, share their biscuits and clothing

with the blacks. The women, who arc generally without gar-

ments, appear in costume from the wardrobes of tars, petty offi-

cers, mates, and even captains. Sheets, tablecloths, and spare11


sails, are torn to pieces for raiment, while shoes, boots, caps, oil-

cloths, and monkey-jackets, contribute to the gay masquerade of

the "emigrants."

It was my sincere hope that the first glimpse of the Antilles

would have converted my schooner into a theatre for such a dis-

play ;but the moodiness of my companions was so manifest, that

I thought it best to meet rebellion half way, by breakicg the sus-

pected ofl&cer, and sending him forward, at the same time that I

threw his "dog-house" overboard.'

I was now without a reliable ofl&cer, and was obliged to call

two of the youngest sailors to my assistance in navigating the

schooner. I knew the cook and steward—both of whom messed

aft—to be trustworthy ;so that, with four men at my back, and

the blacks below, I felt competent to control my vessel. From

that moment, I suffered no one to approach the quarter-deck

nearer than the mainmast.

It was a sweet afternoon when we were floating along the

shores of Porto Rico, tracking our course upon the chart.

Suddenly, one of my new assistants approached, with the socia-

bility common among Spaniards, and, in a quiet tone, asked

whether I would take a cigarillo. As I never smoked, I rejected

the offer with thanks, when the youth immediately dropped the

twisted paper on my map. In an instant, I perceived the rwse,

and discovered that the cigarillo was, in fact, a hillet rolled to

resemble one. I put it in my mouth, and walked aft until I

could throw myself on the deck, with my head over the stern, so

as to open the paper unseen. It disclosed the organization of a

mutiny, under the lead of the broken mate. Our arrival in sight

of St. Domingo was to be the signal of its rupture, and for myimmediate landing on the island. Six of the crew were implicated

with the villain, and the boatswain, who was ill in the slave-hos-

pital, was to share my fate.

My resolution was promptly made. In a few minutes, I had

Tlie forecastle and cabin of a slaver are given up to the living

freight, while officers sleep on deck in kennels, technically known as"dog-

Louses."

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 'ii*'i

cast a hasty glance into the arm-chest, and seen that our weapon?

were in order. Then, mustering ten of the stoutest and clever-

est of my negroes on the quarter-deck, I took the liberty to

invent a little strategic fib, and told them, in the Soosoo dialect,

that there were bad men on board, who wanted to run the

schooner ashore among rocks and drown the slaves while below.

At the same time, I gave each a cutlass from the arm-chest, and

supplying my trusty whites with a couple of pistols and a knife

apiece, without saying a word, I seized the ringleader and his

colleagues ! Irons and double-irons secured the party to the

mainmast or deck, while a drum-head court-martial, composed of

the officers, and presided over by myself, arraigned and tried the

scoundrels in much less time than regular boards ordinarily

spend in such investigations. During the inquiry, we ascertained

beyond doubt that the death of the mate was due to false play.

He bad been wilfully murdered, as a preliminary to the assault

on me, for his colossal stature and powerful muscles would have

made him a dangerous adversary in the seizure of the craft.

There was, perhaps, a touch of the old-fashioned Inquisition

in the mode of our judicial researches concerning this projected

mutiny. We proceeded very much by way of "confession,"

and, whenever the culprit manifested reluctance or hesitation, his

memory was stimulated by a " cat." Accordingly, at the end

of the trial, the mutineers were already pretty well puni.shed ;so

that we sentenced the six accomplices to receive an additional

flafêllation, and continue ironed till we reached Cuba. But the

fate of the ringleader was not decided so easily. Some were in

favor of dropping him overboard, as he had done with the mate;

others proposed to set him adrift on a raft, ballasted with chains;

but I considered both these punishments too cruel, notwithstand-

ing his treachery, and kept his head beneath the pistol of a sen-

try till I landed him in shackles on Turtle Island, with three

days food and abundance of water.

5144 CAPTAIN canot: or.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

After all these adventures, I was very near losing-the schooner

before I got to land, by one of the perils of the sea, for which I

blame myself that I was not better prepared.

It was the afternoon of a fine day. For some time, I had

noticed on the horizon a low bank of white cloud, which rapidly

spread itself over the sky and water, sui-rounding us with an im-

penetrable fog. I apprehended danger; yet, before I could

make the schooner snug to meet the squall, a blast—as sudden

and loud as a thunderbolt—prostrated her nearly on her beam.

The shock was so violent and unforeseen, that the unrestrained

slaves, who were enjoying the fine weather on deck, rolled to lee-

ward till they floundered in the sea that inimdated the scuppers.

There was no power in the tiller to"keep her away

" before

the blast, for the rudder was almost out of water; but, fortu-

nately, our mainsail burst in shreds from the bolt-ropes, and,

relieving us from its pressure, allowed the schooner to right

under control of the helm. The West Indian squall abandoned

us as rapidly as it assailed, and I was happy to find that our

entire loss did not exceed two slave-children, who had been care-

lessly suffered to sit on the rail.

The reader knows that my voyage was an impromptu specu-

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. V45

lation, without papers, manifest, register, consignees, or destina-

tion. It became necessary, therefore, that I should exercise a

very unusual degree of circumspection, not only in landing myhuman cargo, but in selecting a spot from which I might com-

municate with proper persons. I had never been in Cuba, save

on the occasion already described, nor were my business transac-

tions extended beyond the Regla association, by which I was

originally sent to Africa.

The day after the '= white squall" I found our schooner drift-

ing with a leading breeze along the southern coast of Cuba, and

as the time seemed favorable, I thought I might as well cut the

gordian knot of dilemma by landing my cargo in a secluded cove

that indented the beach about nine miles east of Sant' lago. If

I had been consigned te the spot, I could not have been more

fortunate in my reception. Some sixty yards from the landingI found the comfortable home of a ranchero who proffered the

hospitality usual in such cases, and devoted a spacious barn to

the reception of my slaves while his family prepared an abundant

meal.

As soon as the cargo was safe from the grasp of cruisers, I

resolved to disregard the flagless and paperless ci-aft that bore it

safely from Africa, and being unacquainted in Sant' lago, to

cross the island towards the capital, in search of a consignee.

Accordingly I mounted a spirited little horse, and with a mon-

tero guide, turned my face once more towards the " ever faithful

city of Havana."

My companion had a thousand questions for " the captain,"

all of which I answered with so much bonhommic^ that we soon

became the best friends imaginable, and chatted over all the

scandal of Cuba. I learned from this man that a cargo had re-

cently been " run "in the neighborhood of Matanzas, and that its

disposal was most successfully managed by a Seuor • **^ from

Catalonia.

I slapped my thigh and shouted eureka ! It flashed through

my mind to trust this man without further inquiry, and I confess

that my decision was based exclusively upon his sectional na-

tionality. I am partial to the Catalans.

246 CAPTAIN CANOT; OR.,

Accordingly, I presented myself at the counting-room of myfuture consignee in due time, and " made a clean breast

"of the

whole transaction, disclosing the destitute state of my vessel. In

a very short period, his Excellency the Captain General -was made

aware of my arrival and furnished a list of " the Africans,"—by

which name the Bosal slaves are commmonly known in Cuba.

Nor was the captain of the port neglected. A convenient blank

page of his register was inscribed with the name of my vessel as

having sailed from the port six months before, and this was back-

ed by a register and muster-roll, in order to secure my un-

questionable entry into a harbor.

Before nightfall every thing was in order with Spanish de-

spatch when stimulated either by doubloons or the smell of Afri-

can blood;

—and twenty-four hours afterwards, I was again at

the landing with a suit of clothes and blanket for each of my" domestics." The schooner was immediately put in charge of a

clever pilot, who undertook the formal duty and name of her

commander, in order to elude the vigilance of all the minor offi-

cials whose conscience had not been lulled by the golden

anodyne.

la the meanwhile every attention had been given to the slaves

by my hospitable ranchero. The "head-money

" once paid, no

body,—

civil, military, foreign, or Spanish—dared interfere with

them. Forty-eight hours of rest, ablution, exercise and feeding,

served to recruit the gang and steady their gait. Nor had the

sailors in charge of the party omitted the performance of their

duty as '• valets"'

to the gentlemen and " ladies' viaids "to the

females;so that when the march towards Sant' lago began, the

procession might have been considered as "respectable as it was

numerous."

The brokers of the southern emporium made very little delay

in finding purchasers at retail for the entire venture. The re-

turns were, of course, in cash;and so well did the enterprise

turn out, that I forgot the rebellion of our mutineers, and allow-

ed them to share my bounty with the rest of the crew. In fact,

so pleased was I with the result on inspecting the balance sheet,

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFPtlOAN SLAVER. 247

that I resolved to divert myself with the dolce far niente of Cu-

bau country life for a month at least.

But while I was making ready for this delightful repose, a

slight breeze passed over the calmness of my mirror. I had

given, perhaps imprudently, but certainly with generous motives,

a double pay to my men in recompense of their perilous service

on the Rio Nunez. With the usual recklessness of their craft,

they lounged about Havana, boasting of their success, while a

Frenchman of the party.—who had been swindled of his wages

at cards,—

appealed to his Consul for relief. B}' dint of cross

questions the Gallic official extracted the tale of our voyage from

his countryman, and took advantage of the fellow's destitution to

make him a witness against a certain Don Teodore Canot, who

was alleged to be a native of France ! Besides this, the punish-

ment of my mate was exaggerated by the recreant Frenchman

into a most unjustifiable as well as cruel act.

Of course the story was promptly detailed to the Captain Ge-

neral, who issued an order for my arrest. But I was too waryand flush to be caught so easily by the guardian of France's li-

lies. No person bearing my name could be found in the island;

and as the schooner had entered port with Spanish papers, Span-

ish crew, and was regularly sold, it became manifest to the stu-

pefied Consul that the sailor's"yarn

" was an entire fabrication.

That night a convenient press-gang, in want of recruits for the

royal marine, seized the braggadocio crew, and as there were no

witnesses to corroborate the Consul's complaint, it was forthwith

dismissed.

Things are managed very cleverly in Havana—when youknow how !


CHAPTEK XXXVII.

Before I went to sea again, I took a long holiday with full

pockets, among my old friends at Regla and Havana. I thought

it possible that a residence in Cuba for a season, aloof from

traders and their transactions, might wean me from Africa;but

three months had hardly elapsed, before I found myself sailing

out of the harbor of St. Jago de Cuba to take, in Jamaica, a car-

go of merchandise for the coast, and then to return and refit for

slaves in Cuba.

My voyage began with a gale, which for three days swept us

along on a tolerably good course, but on the night of the third,

after snapping my mainmast on a lee shore, I was forced to

beach the schooner in order to save our lives and cargo from de-

struction. Fortunately, we effected our landing with complete

success, and at dawn I found my gallant little craft a total wreck

on an uninhabited key. A large tent or pavilion was quickly

built from our sails, sweeps, and remaining spars, beneath which

every thing valuable and undamaged was stored before night-

fall. Parties were sent forth to reconnoitre, while our remaining

foremast was unshipped, and planted on the highest part of the

sandbank with a signal of distress. The scouts returned without

consolation. Nothing had been seen except a large dog, whose

neck was encircled with a collar;but as he could not be made to

approach by kindness, I forbade his execution. Neither smoke


nor tobacco freed us of the cloudy swarms of mosquitoes that fill

ed the air after sunset, and so violent was the irritation of their

innumerable stings, that a delicate boy among the crew became

utterly insane, and was not restored till long after his return to

Cuba.

Several sad and weary days passed over us on this desolate

key, where our mode of life brought to ray recollection many a

similar hour spent by me in company with Don Rafael and his

companions. Vessel after vessel passed the reef, but none took

notice of our signal. At last, on the tenth day" of our imprison-

ment, a couple of small schooners fanned their way in a noncha-

lant manner towards our island, and knowing that we were quite

at their mercy, refused our rescue unless we assented to the

most extravagant terms of compensation. After a good deal of

chaffering, it was agreed that the salvors should land us and our

effects at Nassau, New Providence, where the average should bo

determined by the lawful tribunal. The voyage was soon accom-

plished, and our amiable liberators from the mosquitoes of our

island prison obtained a judicial award of seventy per cent, for

their extraordinary trouble !

The wreck and the wreckers made so formidable an inroad

upon my finances, that I was very happy when I reached Cuba

once more, to accept the berth of sailing-master in a slave brig

which was fitting out at St. Thomas's, under an experienced

Frenchman.

My new craft, the San Pablo, was a trim Brazil-built brig,

of rather moi*c than 300 tons. Her hold contained sixteen

twenty-four carronades, while her magazine was stocked with

abundance of ammunition, and her kelson lined, fore and aft,

with round shot and grape. Captain* *

*^ who had been de-

scribed as a Tartar and martinet, received me with much affa-

bility, and seemed charmed when I told him that I conversed flu-

ently not only in French but in English.I had hardly arrived and begun to take the dimensions of my

new equipage, when a report ran through the harbor that a Dan-

ish cruiser was about to touch at the island. Of course, every

thing was instantly afloat, and in a Fustle to be off. Stores and

11*


provisions were tumbled in pell-mell, tanks were filled with wa-

ter during the night ; and, before dawn, fifty-five ragamuffins of

all castes, colors, and countries, were shipped as crew. By"six

bells," with a coasting flag at our peak, we were two miles at sea

with our main-topsail aback, receiving six kegs of specie and se-

veral chests of clothing from a lugger.

When we were fairly on " blue water " I discovered that our

voyage, though a slaver's, was not of an ordinary character. Onthe second day, the mariners were provided vîth two setts of

uniform, to be worn on Sundays or when called to quarters.

Gold-laced caps, blue coats with anchor buttons, single epau-

lettes, and side arms were distributed to the officers, while a brief

address from the captain on the quarter-deck, apprised all hands

that if the enterprise resulted well, a bounty of one hundred dol-

lars would be paid to each adventurer.

That night our skipper took me into council and developed

his plan, which was to load in a port in the Mozambique chan-

nel. To eff"ect his purpose with more security, he had provided

the brig with an armament sufficient to repel a man of war of

equal size—(a fancy I never gave way to)—and on all occasions,

except in presence of a French cruiser, he intended to hoist the

Bourbon lilies, wear the Bourbon uniform, and conduct the ves-

sel in every way as if she belonged to the royal navy. Nor

were the officers to. be less favored than the sailors in regard to

double salary, certificates of which were handed to me for my-self and my two subordinates. A memorandum book was then

supplied, containing minute instructions for each day of the en-

suing week, and I was specially charged, as second in command,to be cautiously punctual in all my duties, and severely just to-

wards my inferiors.

I took some pride in acquitting myself creditably in this new

military phase of a slaver's life. Very few days sufficed to putthe rigging and sails in perfect condition

;to mount my sixteen

guns ;to drill the men with small arms as well as artillery ;

and

by paint and sea-craft, to disguise the Saint Paul as a very re-

Fpectable cruiser.

In twenty-seven days we touched at the Cape de Verds for


provisions, and shaped our way southward without speaking a

single vessel of the multitude we met, until off the Cape of Good

Hope we encountered a stranger who was evidently bent upon

being sociable. Nevertheless, our inhospitable spirit forced us to

hold our course unswervingly, till from peak and main we saw

the white flag and pennant of France unfurled to the wind.

Our drum immediately beat to quarters, while the flag chest

was brought on deck. Presently, the French transport demand-

ed our private signal ;which out of our ample supply, was

promptly answered, and the royal ensign of Portugal set at our

peak.

As we approached the Frenchman every thing was made ready

for all hazards;

—our guns were double-shotted, our matches

lighted, our small arms distributed. The moment we came with-

in hail, our captain,—who claimed precedence of the lieutenant of

a transport,—

spoke the Fenchman; and, for a while, carried on

quite an amiable chat in Portuguese. At last the stranger re-

quested leave to send his boat aboard with letters for the Isle

of France;to which we consented with the greatest pleasure,

though our captain thought it fair to inform him that we dared

not prudently invite his officers on deck, inasmuch as there were

* several cases of small-pox among our crew, contracted, in all

likelihood, at Angola !

"

The discharge of an unexpected broadside could not have

struck our visitor with more dismay or horror. The words were

hardly spoken when her decks were in a bustle,—her yards braced

sharply to the wind,—and her prow boiling through the sea,

without so much as the compliment of a " bon voyage !"

Ten days after this ruse cVcsclave we anchored at Quillimaue,

among a lot of Portuguese and Brazilian slavers, whose sails were

cither clewed up or unbent as if for a long delay. We fired a

salute of twenty guns and ran up the French flag. The salvo was

quickly answered, while our captain, in the full uniform of a

naval couiinander, paid his respects to the Governor. Mcautimo

orders were given me to remain carefully in charge of the ship ;

to avoid all intercourse with others;

to go through the complete

routine and show of a man of war;to strike the yards, haul down

252 CAPTAIN CANOT.

signal, and fire a gun at sunlSet;but especially to get underway

and meet the captain at a small beach off the port, the instant I

saw a certain flag flying from the fort,

I have rarely seen matters conducted more skilfully than they

were by this daring Gaul. Next morning early the Governor's

boat was sent for the specie ;the fourth day disclosed the signal

that called us to the beach;the fifth, sixth, and seventh, sup-

plied us with eight hundred negroes ; and, on the ninth, we were

underway for our destination.

The success of this enterprise was more remarkable because

fourteen vessels, waiting cargoes, were at anchor when we arrived,

some of which had been detained in port over fifteen months. To

such a pitch had their impatience risen, that the masters made

common cause against all new-comers, and agreed that each ves

sel should take its turn for supply according to date of arrival.

But the astuteness of my veteran circumvented all these plans.

His anchorage and non-intercourse as a Froich man-of-war lull-

ed every suspicion or intrigue against him, and he adroitly took

advantage of his kegs of specie to win the heart of the authori-

ties and factors who supplied the slaves.

But wit and cleverness are not all in this world. Our

captain returned in high spirits to his vessel;but we hardly

reached the open sea before he was prostrated with an ague which

refused to yield to ordinary remedies, and finally ripened into

fever, that deprived him of reason. Other dangers thickened

around us. We had been several days off" the Cape of Good

Hope, buff"eting a series of adverse gales, when word was brought

me after a night of weary watching, that several slaves were ill

of small-pox. Of all calamities that occur in the voyage of a

slaver, this is the most dreaded and unmanageable. The news ap-

palled me. Impetuous with anxiety I rushed to the captain, and

regardless of fever or insanity, disclosed the dreadful fact. Hestared at me for a minute as if in doubt

;then opening his bureau

and pointing to a long coil of combustible material, said that it

communicated through the decks with the powder magazine, and

ordered me to—" blow up the brig !"

The master's madness sobered his mate. I lost no time in


securing both the dangerous implement and its perilous owner

while I called the officers into t4je cabin for inquiry and consulta-

tion as to our desperate state.

The gale had lasted nine days without intermission, and dur-

ing all this time with so much violence that it was impossible to

take off the gratings, release the slaves, purify the decks, or rig

the wind-sails. When the first lull occurred, a thorough inspcc

tion of the eight hundred was made, and a death announced. As

lifo«had departed during the tempest, a careful inspection of the

body was made, and it was this that first disclosed the pestilence

in our midst. The corpse was silently thrown into the sea, and

the malady kept secret from crew and negroes.

When breakfast was over on that fatal morning, I determined

to visit the slave deck myself, and ordering an abundant supply

of lanterns, descended to the cavern, -which still reeked horri-

bly with human vapor, even after ventilation. But here, alas !

I found nine of the negroes infected by the disease. "We took

counsel as to the use of laudanum in ridding ourselves speedily

of the sufferers,—a remedy that is seldom and secretly used in

desperate cases to preserve the living from contagion. But it was

quickly resolved that it had already gone too far, when nine were

prostrated, to save the rest by depriving them of life. Accord-

ingly, these wretched beings were at once sent to the forecastle

as a hospital, and given in charge to the vaccinated or innocu-

lated as nurses. The hold was then ventilated and limed; yet

before the gale abated, our sick list was increased to thirty.

The hospital could hold no more. Twelve of the sailors took the

infection, and fifteen corpses had been cast in the sea !

All reserve was now at an end. Body after body fed the

deep, and still the gale held on. At last, when the wind and

waves had lulled so much as to allow the gratings to be removed

from our hatches, our consternation knew no bounds when wo

found that nearly all the slaves were dead or dying with the dis-

temper. I will not dwell on the scene or our sensations. It is

a picture that must gape with all its horrors before the least

vivid imagination. Yet there was no time for languor or senti-

mental sorrow. Twelve of the stoutest survivors were ordered


to drag out the dead from among the ill, and though they were

constantly drenched with rum to brutalize them, still we were

forced to aid the gang by reckless volunteers from our crew,

who, arming their hands with tarred mittens, flung the foetid

masses of putrefaction into the sea !

One day was a counterpart of another;and yet the love of

life, or, perhaps, the love of gold, made us fight the monster with

a courage that became a better cause. At length death was

satisfied, but not until the eight hundred beings we had shipped

in high health had dwindled to four hundred and ninety-seven

skeletons I


CHAPTEE XXXVIII.

The San Pablo might have been considered entitled to a "clean

bill of health "by the time she reached the equator. The dead

left space, food, and water for the living, and very little re-

straint was imposed on the squalid remnant. None were shack-

led after the outbreak of the fatal plague, so that in a short

time the survivors began to fatten for the market to which theywere hastening. But such was not the fate of our captain. The

fever and delirium had long left him, yet a dysenteric tendency,—the result of a former malady,—

suddenly supervened, and the

worthy gentleman rapidly declined. His nerves gave way so tho-

roughly, that from fanciful weakness he lapsed into helpless hy-

pochondria. One of his pet ideas was that a copious dose of ca-

lomel would ensure his restoration to perfect health. Unfortu-

nately, however, during the prevalence of the plague, our medicine

chest had one day been accidentally left exposed, and our mer-

cury was abstracted. Still there was no use to attempt calminghim with the assurance that his nostru7ii could not be had. The

more we argued the impossibility of supplying him, the more was

he urgent and imperative for the sanative mineral.

In this dilemma I ordered a bright look-out to be kept for

merchantmen from whom I hoped to obtain the desirable drug.At last a sail was reported two points under our lee, and as her


canvas was both patched and dark, I considered her a harm

less Briton who might be approached with impunity.

It proved to be a brig from Belfast, in Ireland;but when I

overhauled the skipper and desired him to send a boat on board,

he declined the invitation and kept his course. A second and

third command shared the same fate. I was somewhat nettled

by this disregard of my flag, pennant, and starboard epaulette,

and ordering the brig to be run alongside, I made her fast to the

recusant, and boarded with ten men.

Our reception was, of course, not very amicable, though no

show of resistance was made by officers or crew. I informed

the captain that my object in stopping him was entirely one of

mercy, and repeated the request I had previously made throughthe speaking trumpet. Still, the stubborn Scotchman persisted

in denying the medicine, though I offered him payment in silver

or gold. Thereupon, I commanded the mate to produce his log-

book, and, under my dictation, to note the visit of the San Pablo,

my request, and its churlish denial. This being done to my sat-

isfaction, I ordered two of my hands to search for the medicine

chest, which turned out to be a sorry receptacle of stale drugs,

though fortunately containing an abundance of calomel. I did

not parley about appropriating a third of the mineral, for which

I counted five silver dollars on the cabin table. But the metal

was no sooner exhibited than my Scotchman refused it with dis-

dain. I handed it, however, to the mate, and exacted a receipt,

which was noted in the log-book.

As I put my leg over the taffrail, I tried once more to smooth

the bristles of the terrier, but a snarl and a snap repaid me for

my good humor. Nevertheless, I resolved " to heap coals ol

fire on the head " of the ingrate ; and, before I cast off our lash-

ings, threw on his deck a dozen yams, a bag of frijoles, a barrel

of pork, a couple of sacks of white Spanish biscuits,—

and, with

a cheer, bade him adieu. ^

But there was no balm in calomel for the captain. Scotch

physic could not save him. He declined day by day ; yet the

energy of his hard nature kept him alive when other men would

have sunk, and enabled him to command even from his sick bed.


It was always our Sabbath service to drum the men to quarters and exercise them with cannons and small arms. One Sun-

day, after the routine was over, the dying man desired to inspecthis crew, and was carried to the quarter-deck on a mattress.

Each sailor marched in front of him and was allowed to take his

hand;after which he called them around in a body, and an-

nounced his apprehension that death would claim him before our

destination was reached. Then, without previously apprising us

of his design, he proceeded to make a verbal testament, and en-

joined it upon all as a duty to his memory to obey implicitly.

If the San Pablo arrived safely in port, he desired that everyofficer and mariner should be paid the promised bounty, and that

the proceeds of cargo should be sent to his family in Nantz.

But, if it happened that we were attacked by a cruiser, and the

brig was saved by the risk and valor of a defence,—

then, he

directed that one half the voyage's avails should be shared

between officers and crew, while one quarter was sent to his

friends in France, and the other given to me. His .sailing-master

and Cuban consignees were to be the executors of this salt-water

document.

We were now well advanced north-westwardly on our voyage,and in every cloud could see a promise of the continuing trade-

wind, which was shortly to end a luckless voyage. From deck

to royal,—from flying-jib to ring-tail, every stitch of canvas that

would draw was packed and crowded on the brig. Vessels were

daily seen in numbers, but none appeared suspicious till we gotfar to the westward, when my glass detected a cruising schooner,

jogging along under easy sail. I ordered the helmsman to keephib course

;and taughtening sheets, braces, and halyards, went

into the cabin to receive the final orders of our commander.

He received my story with his usual bravery, nor was he

startled when a boom from the cruiser's gun announced her in

chase. He pointed to one of his drawers and told me to take

ût its contents. I handed him three flags, which he carefully

unrolled, and displayed the ensigns of Spain, Denmark, and

Portugal, in each of which I found a set of papers suitable tor

the San Pablo. In a feeble voice be desired me to select a


nationality ; and, when I cliose the Spanish, he grasped my handj

pointed to the door, and bade me not to surrender.

When I reached the deck, I found our pursuer gaining on

us with the utmost speed. She outsailed us—two to one.

Escape was altogether out of the question ; yet I resolved to

show the inquisitive stranger our mettle, by keeping my course,

firing a gun, and hoisting my Spanish signals at peak and main.

At this time the San Pablo was spinning along finely at the

rate of about six knots an hour, when a shot from the schooner

fell close to our stern. In a moment I ordered in studding-sails

alow and aloft, and as my men had been trained to their duty in

man-of-war fashion, I hoped to impose on the cruiser by the style

and perfection of the manoeuvre. Still, however, she kept her

way, and, in four hours after discovery, was within half gun-shot

of the brig.

Hitherto I had not touched my armament, but I selected thia

moment to load under the enemy's eyes, and, at the word of com-

mand, to fling open the ports and run out my barkers. The act

was performed to a charm by my well-drilled gunners ; yet all

our belligerent display had not the least efi"ect on the schooner,

which still pursued us. At last, within hail, her commander

leaped on a gun, and ordered me to" heave to, or take a ball !

"

Now, I was prepared for this arrogant command, and, for

half an hour, had made up my mind how to avoid an engagement.A single discharge of my broadside might have sunk or seriously

damaged our antagonist, but the consequences would have been

terrible if he boarded me, which I believed to be his aim.

Accordingly, I paid no attention to the threat, but taughtened

my ropes and surged ahead. Presently, my racing chaser came

up under my lee within pistol-shot, when a reiterated commandto heave to or be fired on, was answered for the first time by a

faint" no intiendo^''

—" I don't understand you,"—while the

man-of-war shot ahead of me.

Then I had him I Quick as thought, I gave the order to"square away," and putting the helm up, struck the cruiser

near the bow, carrying away her foremast and bowsprit. Such

was the stranger's surprise at my daring trick that not a musket

TWENTY iTBAIlS OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 259

was fired or boarder stirred, till we were clear of the wreck. It

was then too late. The loss of my jib-boom and a few rope-yarnadid not prevent me from cracking on my studding-sails, and

leaving the lubber to digest his stnp'id forbearance !

This adventure was a fitting epitaph for the stormy life of our

poor commander, who died on the following night, and was buried

under a choice selection of the flags he had honored with his

various nationalities. A few days after the blue water had closed

over him for ever, our cargo was safely ensconsed in the haciendanine miles east of St, Jago de Cuba, while the San Pablo wassent adrift and burnt to the water's ed"e.

260 CAPTAIN CANOX: OR.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The beneficent disposition of my late commander, though not a

regular testament, was carried out in Cuba, and put me in pos-

session of twelve thousand dollars as my share of the enterprise

Yet my restless spirit did not allow me to remain idle. Our

successful voyage had secured me scores of friends among the

Spanish slavers, and I received daily applications for a fresh

command.

But the plans of my French friend had so bewitched me with

a desire for imitation, that I declined subordinate posts and

aspired to ownership. Accordingly, I proposed to the proprietor

of a large American clipper-brig, that we should fit her on the

same system as the San Pablo; yet, wishing to surpass my late

captain in commercial success, I suggested the idea of fighting

for our cargo, or, in plainer language, of relieving another slaver

of her living freight, a project which promptly found favor with

the owner of " La Conciiita." The vessel in question origi-

nally cost twelve thousand dollars, and 1 proposed to cover this

value by expending an equal sum on her outfit, in order to con-

stitute me half owner.

The bargain was struck, and the armament, sails, additional

Bpars, rigging, and provisions went on board, with prudential

secrecy. Inasmuch as we could not leave port without some

show of a cargo, merchandise in bond was taken from the public


warehouses, and, after being loaded in our hold during day, was

smucgled ashore again at night. As the manoeuvre was a trick

of my accomplice, who privately gained by the operation, I took

no notice of what was delivered or taken away.

Finally, all was ready. Forty-five men were shipped, and

the Conchita cleared. Next day, at daybreak, I was to sail with

the land-breeze.

A sailor's last night ashore is proverbial, and none of the

customary ceremonies were omitted on this occasion. There was

a parting supper with plenty of champagne ;there was a visit to

the cafe ; a farewell call here, another there, and a bumper every

where. In fact, till two in the morning, I was busy with myadieus

;but when I got home at last, with a thumping headache,

I was met at the door by a note from my partner, stating that

our vessel was seized, and an order issued for my arrest. Hecounselled me to keep aloof from the alguazilcs, till he could

arrange the matter with the custom-house and police.

I will not enlarge this chapter of disasters. Next day, myaccomplice was lodged in prison for his fraud, the vessel confis-

cated, her outfit sold, and my purse cropped to the extent of

twelve thousand dollars. I had barely time to escape before the

officers were in my lodgings ;and I finally saved myself from an

acquaintance with the interior of a Cuban prison, by taking

another name, and playing ranchcro among the hills for several

weeks.

My finances were at low-water mark, when I strolled one fine

morning into Matanzas, and, after some delay, again obtained

command of a slaver, through the secret influence of my old and

trusty friends. The new craft was a dashing schooner, of one

hundred and twenty tons, fresh from the United States, and

intended forWhydahon the Gold Coast. It was calculated that

we might bring home at least four hundred and fifty slaves, for

whose purchase, I was supplied plentifully with jum, powder,

English muskets, and rich cottons from Slanchester.

In due time we sailed for the Cape de Verds, the usual


"port of despatch

" on such, excursions;and at Praya, ex-

changed our flag for the Portuguese, before we put up our helnj

for the coast. A British cruiser chased us fruitlessly for two

days off Sierra Leone, and enabled me not only to test the sail-

ing qualities, but to get the saili7ig trim of the "Estrella," in

perfection. So confident did I become of the speed and bottom

of my gallant clipper, that I ventured, with a leading wind, to

chase the first vessel I descried on the horizon, and was alto-

gether deceived by the tri-color displayed at her peak. Indeed,

I could not divine this novel nationality, till the speaking trum-

pet apprised us that the lilies of France had taken triple hues

in the hands of Louis Philippe ! Accordingly, before I squared

away for Whydah, I saluted the royal republican, by lowering

my flag Ihrice to the new divinity.

I consigned the Estrella to one of the most remarkable

traders that ever expanded the African traffic by his genius.

Senor Da Souza,—better known on the coast and interior

as Cha-cha,—was said to be a native mulatto of Kio Janeiro,

whence he emigrated to Dahomey, after deserting the arms of his

imperial master. I do not know how he reached Africa, but it is

probable the fugitive made part of some slaver's crew, and fled

from his vessel, as he had previously abandoned the military ser-

vice in the delicious clime of Brazil. His parents were poor,

indolent, and careless, so that Cha-cha grew up an illiterate,

headstrong youth. Yet, when he touched the soil of Africa, a

new life seemed infused into his veins. For a while, his days

are said to have been full of misery and trouble, but the Brazil-

lian slave-trade happened to receive an extraordinary impetusabout that period ; and, gradually, the adventurous refugee man-

aged to profit by his skill in dealing with the natives, or by acting

ds broker among his countrymen. Beginning in the humblest

way, he stuck to trade with the utmost tenacity till he ripened into

an opulent factor. The tinge of native blood that dyed his com-

plexion, perhaps qualified him peculiarly for this enterprise. Ho

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 2b3

loved the customs of the people. He spoke their language with

the fluency of a native. He won the favor of chief after chief.

He strove to be considered a perfect African among Africans;

though, among whites, he still affected the graceful address and

manners of his country. In this way, little by little. Cha-cha

advanced in the regard of all he dealt with, and secured the com-

missions of Brazil and Cuba, while he was regarded and pro-

tected as a prime favorite by the warlike king of Dahomey.Indeed, it is alleged that this noted sovereign formed a sort of

devilish compact with the Portuguese factor, and supplied him

with every thing he desired during life, in consideration of inher-

iting his wealth when dead.

But Cha-cha was resolved, while the power of enjoyment was

still vouchsafed him, that all the pleasures of human life, acces-

sible to money, should not be wanting in Whydah. He built a

large and commodious dwelling for his residence on a beautiful

spot, near the site of an abandoned Portuguese fort. He filled

his establishment with every luxury and comfort that could please

the fancy, or gratify the body. Wines, food, delicacies and rai-

ment, were brought from Paris, London, and Havana. Thefinest women along the coast were lured to his settlement. Bil

Hard tables and gambling halls spread their wiles, or afforded dis-

traction for detained navigators. In fine, the mongrel Sybaritesurrounded himself with all that could corrupt virtue, gratify,

passion, tempt avarice, betray weakness, satisfy sensuality, and

complete a picture of incarnate slavery in Dahomey.When he sallied forth, his walk was always accompanied by

considerable ceremony. An officer preceded him to clear the

path ;a fool or buffoon hopped beside him

;a band of native

musicians sounded their discordant instruments, and a couple of

singers screamed, at the top of their voices, the most fulsome

adulation of the mulatto.

Numbers of vessels were, of course, required to feed this

African nabob with doubloons and merchandise. Sometimes,commanders from Cuba or Brazil would be kept months in his

perilous nest, while their craft cruised along the coast, in expec-

tation of human cargoes. At such seasons, no expedient was left


untried for the entertainment and pillage of wealthy or trusted

idlers. If Cha-cha's board and wines made them drunkards, it

was no fault of his. If rouge et noir, or monte, won their

doubloons and freight at his saloon, he regretted, but dared not

interfere with the amusements of his guests. If the sirens of

his harem betrayed a cargo for their favor over cards, a conve-

nient fire destroyed the frail warehouse after its merchandise was

secretly removed !

Cha-cha was exceedingly desirous that I should accept his

hospitality. As soon as I read my invoice to him,—^for he could

not do it himself,—he became almost irresistible in his empresse-

ment. Yet I declined the invitation with firm politeness, and

took up my quarters on shore, at the residence of a native man-

fuca, or broker. I was warned of his allurements before I left

Matanzas, and resolved to keep myself and property so clear of

his clutches, that our contract would either be fulfilled or remain

within my control. Thus, by avoiding his table, his "hells," and

the society of his dissipated sons, I maintained my business rela-

tions with the slaver, and secured his personal respect so effect-

ually, that, at the end of two months, four hundred and eighty

prime negroes were in the bowels of La Estrella.'

* Da Souza died in May, 1849. Commander Forbes, R. N., in bis book

on Dahomey, says that a boy and girl were decapitated and bui-ied with

him, and that three men were sacrificed on the beach at Whydah. He

alleges that, although this notorious slaver died in May, the funeral honors

to his memory were not yet closed in October. " The town," he says, "is

still in a ferment. Three hundred of the Amazons are daily in the square,

firing and dancing ;bands of Fetiche people parade the streets, headed by

guinea-fowls, fowls, ducks, goats, pigeons, and pigs, on poles, alive, for sac-

rifice. Much rum is distributed, and all night there is shouting, firing and

dancing."—Dahojney and the Dahomatis, voL i, 49

TWENTY YEAHS OF AN ATRICAN SLAVER. 265

CHAPTEK XL.

[f I had dreamed that these recollections of my African career

would ever be made public, it is probable I should have taxed

my memory with many events and characteristic anecdotes, of

interest to those who study the progress of mankind, and the

singular manifestations of human intellect in various portions of

Ethiopia.

During my travels on that continent, I always found the negro

a believer in some superior creative and controlling power, except

among the marshes at the mouth of the Rio Pongo, where the

Bagers, as I already stated, imagine that death is total annihila-

tion. The Mandingoes and Fullahs have their Islamism and its

Koran;the Soosoo has his good spirits and bad

;another nation

has its"pray-men

" and "book-men," with their special creeds

;

another relies on the omnipotence oijuju priests and fetiche wor-

ship ;

' some believe in the immortality of spirit ;while others

confide in the absolute translation of body. The Mahometan

tribes adore the Creator, with an infinitude of ablutions, genuflex-

ions, prayers, fasts, and by strictly adhering to the laws of the

Prophet ;while the heathen nations resort to their adroit priests

who shield them from the devil by charms of various degree,

which are exclusively in their gift, and may consequently be im-

posed on the credulous for enormous prices.

' From the Fortxigueee feiiifo—witchcraft.

12

266 CAPTAIN canot; ok,

At Whydali I found the natives addicted to a very grovelling

species of idolatry. It was their belief that the Good as well as the

Evil spirit existed in living Iguanas. In the home of the mcri'

fuca, with whom I dwelt, several of these animals were con-

stantly fed and cherished as dii jênates, nor was any one allowed

to interfere with their freedom, ox to harm them when they grew

insufi'erably offensive. The death of one of these crawling deities

is considered a calamity in the household, and grief for the rep-

tile becomes as great as for a departed parent.

Whilst I tarried at Whydah, an invitation came from the

King of Dahomey, soliciting the presence of Cha-cha and his

guests at the yearly sacrifice of human beings, whose blood is

shed not only to appease an irritated god but to satiate the ap-

petite of departed kings. I regret that I did not accompany the

party that was present at this dreadful festival. Cha-cha des

patched several of the captains who were waiting cargoes, under

the charge of his own interpreters and the royal manfucas ; and

from one of these eye-witnesses, whose curiosity was painfully

satiated, I received a faithful account of the horrid spectacle.

For three days our travellers passed through a populous re-

gion, fed with abundant repasts prepared in the native villages

by Cha-cha's cooks, and resting at night in hammocks suspended

among the trees. On the fourth day the party reached the great

capital of Abomey, to which the king had come for the bloody

festival from his residence at Cannah. My friends were comfort-

ably lodged for repose, and next morning presented to the sove-

reign. He was a well built negro, dressed in the petticoat-

trowsers of a Turk, with yellow morocco boots, while a profusion

of silk shawls encircled his shoulders and waist, and a lofty cha-

peau, with trailing plumes, surmounted his wool. A vast body-

guard of female soldiers or amazons, armed with lances and mus-

kets, surrounded his majesty. Presently, the manfucas and in-

terpreters, crawling abjectly on their hands and knees to the

royal feet, deposited Cha-cha's tribute and the white men's offer-

ing. The first consisted of several pieces of crape, silks, and taf

feta, with a large pitcher and basin of silver;while the latter

was a trifling gift of twenty muskets and one hundred pieces of

I


blue dunêrec. The present was gracefully accepted, and the do-

nors welcomed to the sacrifice, which was delayed on account of

the scarcity of victims, though orders had been given to storm a

neighboring tribe to make up three hundred slaves for the fes-

tival. In the mean while, a spacious house, furnished in Euro-

pean style, and altogether better than the ordinary dwellings of

Africa, was assigned to the strangers. Liberty was also given

them to enter wherever they pleased, and take what they wished,

inasmuch as all his subjects, male and female, were slaves whom

he placed at the white men's disposal.

The sixth of May was announced as the beginning of the sa-

crificial rites, which were to last five days. Early in the morn-

ing, two hundred females of the amazoniau guard, naked to the

waist, but richly ornamented with beads and rings at every

joint of their oiled and glistening limbs, appeared in the area

before the king's palace, armed with blunt cutlasses. Verysoon the sovereign made his appearance, when the band of war-

riors began their manoeuvres, keeping pace, with rude but not un-

martial skill, to the native drum and flute.

A short distance from the palace, within sight of the square,

a fort or inclosure, about nine feet high, had been built of adoh(\

and surrounded by a pile of tall, prickly briers. Within this

barrier, secured to stakes, stood fifty captives who were to be

immolated at the opening of the festival. When the drill of the

amazons and the royal review were over, there was, for a consi-

derable time, perfect silence in the ranks and throughout the vast

multitude of spectators. Presently, at a signal from the king,

one hundred of the women departed at a run, brandishing their

weapons and yelling their war-cry, till, heedless of the thorny

barricade, they leaped the walls, lacerating their flesh in crossing

the prickly impediment. The delay was short. Fifty of these

female demons, with torn limbs and bleeding faces, quickly return-

ed, and oflFercd their howling victims to the king. It was nowthe duty of this personage to begin the sacrifice with his royal

hand. Calling the female whose impetuous daring had led her

foremost across the thorns, he took a glittering sword from her

grasp, and in an instant the head of the first victim fell to tho


dust. The weapon was then returned to the woman, who, hand

ing it to the white men, desired them to unite in the brutal deed !

The strangers, however, not only refused, but, sick at heart,

abandoned the scene of butchery, which lasted, they understood,

till noon, when the amazons were dismissed to their barracks,

reeking with rum and blood.

I have limited the details of this barbarity to the initial cru-

elties, leaving the reader's imagination to fancy the atrocities

that followed the second' blow. It has always been noticed that

the sight of blood, which appals a civilized man, serves to excite

and enrage the savage, till his frantic passions induce him to

mutilate his victims, even as a tiger becomes furious after it has

torn the first wound in its prey. For five days the strangers

were doomed to hear the yells of the storming amazons as theyassailed the fort for fresh victims. On the sixth the sacrifice was

over :—the divinity was appeased, and quiet reigned again in the

streets of Abomey.Our travellers were naturally anxious to quit a court where

such abominations were regarded as national and relicrious du-

ties;but before they departed, his majesty proposed to accord

them a parting interview. He received the strangers with cere-

monious politeness, and called their attention to the throne or

royal seat upon which he had coiled his limbs. The chair is said

to have been an heir-loom of at least twenty generations. Each

leg of the article rests on the skull of some native king or chief,

and such is the fanatical respect for the brutal usages of an-

tiquity, that every three years the people of Dahomey are

obliged to renew the steadiness of the stool by the fresh skulls

of some noted princes !

I was not long enough at Whydah to observe the manners and

customs of the natives with much care, still, as well as I now re-

member, there was great similarity to the habits of other tribes.

The male lords it over the weaker sex, and as a man is valued

according to the quantity of his wives; polygamy, even among


civilized residents, is carried to a greater excess than elsewhere.

Female chastity is not insisted on as in the Mandingo and Soosoo

districts, but the husband contents himself with the seeming con-

tinence of his mistresses. Sixty or seventy miles south of Why-dah, the adulterous wife of a chief is stabbed in the presence of

her relations. Here, also, superstition has set up the altar of

human sacrifice, but the divinity considers the oflFering of a sin-

gle virgin sufficient for all its requirements.

Some years after my visit to Whydah, it happened that mytraffic called me to Lagos at the season of this annual festival, so

that I became an unwilling witness of the horrid scene.

When the slender crescent of the November moon is first ob-

served, an edict goes forth from the king that his Juju-man, or

high-priest, will go his annual round through the town, and dur-

ing his progress it is strictly forbidden for any of his subjects to

remain out of doors after sunset. Such is the terror with which

the priests afi'ect to regard the sacred demon, that even the fires

are extinguished in their houses.

Towards midnight the Juju-man issued from a sacred gree-

grce bush or grove, the entrance to which is inhibited to all ne-

groes who do not belong to the religious brotherhood. The costume

of the impostor is calculated to inspire his countrymen with fear.

He was clad in a garment that descended from his waist to his

heels like a petticoa-t or skirt, made of long black fur;a cape of

the same material was clasped round his neck and covered his

elbows;a gigantic hood which bristled with all the ferocity of a

grenadier's cap, covered his head;his hands were disguised m

tiger's paws, while a frightful mask, with sharp nose, thin lips,

and white color, concealed his face. He was accompanied by ten

stout barbarians, dressed and masked like himself, each soundingsome discordant instrument. Every door, by law, is required to

be left ajar for the free access of the Ji/ju, but as soon as the

horrid noise is heard approaching from the tabooed grove, each

inhabitant falls to the ground, with eyes in the dust, to avoid even

a look from the irritated spirit.

A victim is always agreed upon by the priests and the author-

ities before they leave the grcegree bush, yet to instil a greater

270 CAPTAIN CANOT

degree of superstitious terror, the frightful Juju, as if in doubt,

promenades the town till daylight, entering a house now and

then, and sometimes committing a murder or two to augment the

panic. At dawn the home of the victim,—who, of course, is al-

ways the handsomest virgin in the settlement,—is reached, and

the Jvju immediately seizes and carries her to a place of conceal-

ment. Under pain of death her parents and friends are denied

the privilege of uttering a complaint, or even of lifting their

heads from the dust. Next day the unfortunate mother must

seem ignorant of her daughter's doom, or profess herself proudof the Jiijic's choice. Two days pass without notice of the vic-

tim. On the third, at the river side, the king meets his fanatical

subjects, clad in their choicest raiment, and wearing their sweet-

est smiles. A band of music salutes the sovereign, and suddenlythe poor victim, no longer a virgin and perfectly denuded, is

brought forward by a wizard, who is to act the part of execution-

er. The living sacrifice moves slowly with measured steps, but

is no more to be recognized even by her nearest relatives, for

face, body, and limbs, are covered thickly with chalk. As soon

as she halts before the king, her hands and feet are bound to a

bench near the trunk of a tree. The executioner then takes his

stand, and with uplifted eyes and arms, seems to invoke a bless-

ing on the people, while with a single blow of his blade, her headis rolled into the river. The bleeding trunk, laid carefully on a

mat, is placed beneath a large tree to remain till a spirit shall

bear it to the land of rest, and at night it is secretly removed bythe priesthood.

It is gratifying to know that these Jiijus, who in Africa as-

sume the prerogatives of divinity, are only the principals of a

religious fraternity who from time immemorial have constituted a

secret society in this part of Ethiopia, for the purpose of sustain-

ing their kings and ruling the people through their superstition.

By fear and fanaticism these brutal priests exact confessions

from ignorant negroes, which, in due time, are announced to the

public as divinations of the oracle. The members of the societyare the depositories of many secrets, tricks, and medical prepara*

nVENTI TK4RS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 271

tions, by which they are enabled to paralyze the body as well as

affect the mind of their victim. The king and his chiefs are gen-

erally supreme in this brotherhood of heathen superstition, and

the purity of the sacrificed virgin, in the ceremony just described,

was unquestionably yielded to her brutal prince.

272 CAPTAIN CANOT : OR-

CHAPTER XLI.

I HAVE always regretted that I left Whjdah on my nomeward

voyage without interpreters to aid in the necessary intercourse

with our slaves. There was no one on board who understood a

word of their dialect. Many complaints from the negroes that

would have been dismissed or satisfactorily adjusted, had we

comprehended their vivacious tongues and grievances, were pass-

ed over in silence or hushed with the lash. Indeed, the whipalone was the emblem of La Estrella's discipline ;

and in the end

it taught me the saddest of lessons.

From the beginning there was manifest discontent among the

slaves. I endeavored at first to please and accommodate them

by a gracious manner ' but manner alone is not appreciated byuntamed Africans. A few days after our departure, a slave leap-

ed overboard in a fit of passion, and another choked himself dur-

ing the night. These two suicides, in twenty-four hours, caused

much uneasiness among the officers, and induced me to make

every preparation for a revolt.

We had been at sea about three weeks without further dis-

turbance, and there was so much merriment among the gangs

that were allowed to come on deck, that my apprehensions of

danger began gradually to wear away. Suddenly, however, one

fair afternoon, a squall broke forth from an almost cloudless sky j

TWENTY YEAR^ OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 273

and as the boatswain's whistle piped all hands to take in sail, a

Biuiultaueous rush was made by the confined slaves at all the

after-gratings, and amid the confusion of the rising gale, they

knocked down the guard and poured upon deck. The sentry

at the fore-hatch seized the cook's axe, and sweeping it round

him like a scythe, kept at bay the band that sought to emerge

from below him. Meantime, the women in the cabin were not

idle. Seconding the males, they rose in a body, and the helms-

man was forced to stab several with his knife before he could

drive them below again.

About forty stalwart devils, yelling and grinning with all the

savage ferocity of their wilderness, were now on deck, armed

with staves of broken water-casks, or billets of wood, found in

the hold. The suddenness of ihis outbreak did not appal me,

for, in the dangerous life of Africa, a trader must bo always

admonished and never off his guard. The blow that prostrated

the first white man was the earliest symptom I detected of the

revolt; but, in au instant, I had the arm-chest open on the quar-

ter-deck, and the mate and steward beside me to protect it.

Matters, however, did not stand so well forward of the main-

mast. Four of the hands were disabled by clubs, while the rest

defended themselves and the wounded as well as they could with

handspikes, or whatever could suddenly be clutched. I had

always charged the cook, on such an emergency, to distri^jutc

from his coppers a liberal supply of scalding water upon the

belligerents ; and, at the first sign of revolt, he endeavored to

baptize the heathen with his steaming slush. But dinner had

been over for some time, so that the lukewarm liquid only irri-

tated the savages, one of whom laid the unfortunate " doctor "

bleeding in the scuppers.

All this occurred in perhaps less time than I have taken to

tell it; yet, rapid as was the transaction, I saw that, between

the squall with its flying sails, and the revolt with its raving

blacks, we would soon be in a desperate plight, unless I gave the

order to shoot. Accordingly, I told my comrades taaini low and

Jire at once.

Our carabines had been purposely loaded with buck-shot, to

274 CAPTAIN CANOT : OR,

suit such an occasion, so that the first two discharges broughtseveral of the rebels to their knees. Still, the unharmed neither

fled nor ceased brandishing their weapons. Two more dischargesdrove them forward amongst the mass of my crew, who had

retreated towards the bowsprit ; but, being reinforced by the

boatswain and carpenter, we took command of the hatches so

effectually, that a dozen additional discharges among the ebony

legs, drove the refractory to their quarters below.

It was time;for sails, rgpes, tacks, sheets, and blocks, were

flapping, dashing, and rolling about the masts and decks, threat-

ening us with imminent danger from the squall. In a short time,

every thing was made snug, the vessel put on our course, and at-

tention paid to the mutineers, who had begun to fight amongthemselves in the hold !

•

I perceived at once, by the infuriate sounds proceeding from

below, that it would not answer to venture in their midst by

descending through the hatches. Accordingly, we dischargedthe women from their quarters under a guard on deck, and sent

several resolute and well-armed hands to remove a couple of

boards from the bulk-head, that separated the cabin from the

hold. "When this was accomplished, a party entered, on hands

and knees, through the aperture, and began to press the muti-

neers forward towards the bulk-head of the forecastle. Still,

the rebels were hot for fight to the last, and boldly defended

themselves with their staves against our weapons.

By this time, our lamed cook had rekindled his fires, and the

water was once more boiling. The hatches were kept open but

guarded, and all who did not fight were suffered to come singly

on deck, where they were tied. As only about sixty remained

below engaged in conflict, or defying my party of sappers and

miners, I ordered a number of auger-holes to be bored in the

deck, as the scoundrels were forced forward near the forecastle,

when a few buckets of boiling water, rained on them through the

fresh apertures, brought the majority to submission. Still, how-

ever, two of the most savage held out against water as well as

fire. I strove as long as possible to save their lives, but their

resistance was so prolonged and perilous, that we were obligedto disarm them for ever by a couple of pistol shots.

TWENTY YEAES OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 375

So ended the sad revolt of " La Estrella," in which two of

my men were seriously wounded, while twenty-eight balls and

buck shot were extracted, with sailors' skill, from the lower limbs

of the slaves. One woman and three men perished of blows

received in the conflict;but none were deliberately slain except

the two men, who resisted unto death.

I could never account for this mutiny, especially as the blacks

from Ayudah and its neighborhood are distinguished for their

humble manners and docility. There can be no doubt that the

entire gang was not united or concerned in the original out-

break, else we should have had harder work in subduing them,

amid the risk and turmoil of a West Indian squall.

2?'6 CAPTAIN canot; or*

CHAPTER XLII.

There was very little comfort on board La Estrellt after the

suppression of this revolt. We lived with a pent- ^p volcano

beneath us, and, day and night, we were ceaselessly vigilant.

Terror reigned supreme, and the lash was its sceptre.

At last, we made land at Porto Rico, and were swiftly pass-

ing its beautiful shores, when the inspector called my attention

to the appearance of one of our attendant slaves, whom we had

drilled as a sort of cabin-boy. He was a gentle, intelligent

child, and had won the hearts of all the ofl&cers.

His pulse was high, quick and hard;his face and eyes red

and swollen; while, on his neck, I detected half a dozen rosy

pimples. He was sent immediately to the forecastle, free from

contact -n ith any one else, and left there, cut off from the crew,

till I could guard against pestilence. It was small-pox !

The boy passed a wretched night of fever and pain, develop-

ing the malady with all its horrors. It is very likely that I

slept as badly as the sufferer, for my mind was busy with his

doom. Daylight found me on deck in consultation with our

veteran boatswain, whose experience in the trade authorized the

highest respect for his opinion. Hardened as he was, the old

man's eyes filled, his lips trembled, and his voice was husky, as

he whispered the verdict in my ear. I guessed it before he said


a word; yet I hoped he would have counselled against the dread

alternative. As we went aft to the quarter-deck, all eyes were

bent upon us, for every one conjectured the malady and feared

the result, yet none dared ask a question.

I ordered a general inspection of the slaves, yet when a

favorable report was made, I did not rest content, and descended

to examine each one personally. It was true;the child was

alone infected !

For half an hour, I trod the deck to and fro restlessly, and

caused the crew to subject themselves to inspection. But mysailors were as healthy as the slaves. There was no symptomthat indicated approaching danger. I was disappointed again.A single case—a single sign of peril in any quarter, would have

spared the poison !

That evening, in the stillness of night, a trembling hand stole

forward to the afflicted boy with a potion that knows no waking.In a few hours, all was over. Life and the pestilence were

crushed together ;for a necessary murder had been committed,

and the poor victim was beneath the blue water !

I am not superstitious, but a voyage attended with such

calamities could not end happily. Incessant gales and head

winds, unusual in this season and latitude, beset us so obsti-

nately, tha* it became doubtful whether our food and water

would last till we reached Matauzas. To add to our risks and

misfortunes, a British corvette espied our craft, and gave chase

off Cape Maize. All day long she dogged us slowly, but, at

night, I tacked off shore, with the expectation of eluding mypursuer. Day dawn, however, revealed her again on our track,

though this time we had unfortunately fallen to leeward. Ac-

cordingly, I put La Estrella directly before the wind, and ran

till dark with a fresh breeze, when I again dodged the cruiser,

and made for the Cuban coast. But the Briton seemed to scent

jny track, for sunrise revealed him once more in chase.

The wind lulled that night to a light breeze, yet the red

278 CAPTAIN CANOT; OE,

clouds and haze in the east betokened a gale from that quarter

before meridian. A longer pursuit must have given considerable

advantage to the enemy, so that my best reliance, I calculated,

was in making the small harbor near St. Jago, now about twentymiles distant, where I had already landed two cargoes. The

corvette was then full ten miles astern.

My resolution to save the cargo and lose the vessel was

promptly made;

—orders were issued to strike from the slaves

the irons they had constantly worn since the mutiny ;the boats

were made ready ;and every man prepared his bag for a rapid

launch.

On dashed the cruiser, foaming at the bows, under the im-

petus of the rising gale, which struck him some time before it

reached us. We were not more than seven miles apart when the

first increased pressure on our sails was felt, and every thing

was set and braced to give it the earliest welcome. Then came

the tug and race for the beach, three miles ahead. But, under

such circumstances, it was hardly to be expected that St. Georgecould carry the day. Still, every nerve was strained to eflfect

the purpose. Regardless of the gale, reef after reef was let out

while force pumps moistened his sails; yet nothing was gained.

Three miles against seven were too much odds;

—and, with a

slight move of the helm, and "letting all fly," as we neared the

line of surf, to break her headway, La Estrella was fairly and

safely beached.

The sudden shock snapped her mainmast like a pipe-stem,

but, as no one was injured, in a twinkling the boats were over-

board, crammed with women and children, while a stage was

rigged from the bows to the strand, so that the males, the crew

and the luggage were soon in charge of my old haciendado.

Prompt as we were, we were not sufficiently so for the cruiser.

Half our cargo was ashore when she backed her top-sails off the

mouth of the little bay, lowered her boats, filled them with

boarders, and steered towards our craft. The delay of half a

mile's row gave us time to cling still longer to the wreck, so

thatj when the boats and corvette began to fire, we wished them

joy of their bargain over the remnant of our lea^t valuable ne-


crocs. The rescued blacks are now, in all likelihood, citizens of

Jamaica ; but, under the influence of the gale. La Estrella made

a very picturesque bonfire, as we saw it that night from tho

azotda of our landlord's domicile.


CHAPTEK XLIII.

Disastrous as was this enterprise, both on the sea and in the

eountiug-house, a couple of months found me on board a splendid

clipper,—born of the famous jvatersof the Chesapeake,

—delighting

in the name of " Aguila de Oro," or " Golden Eagle," and spin-

ning out of the Cape de Verds on a race with a famous West In-

dian privateer.

The "Montesquieu

" was the pride of Jamaica for pluck and

sailing, when folks of her character were not so unpopular as of

late among the British Islands;and many a banter passed be-

tween her commander and myself, while I was unsuccessfully

waiting till the governor resolved his conscientious difficulties

about the exchange ofjlags. At last I offered a bet of five hun-

dred dollars against an equal sum ;and next day a bag with the

tempting thousand was tied to the end of my mainboom, with an

invitation for the boaster to "follow and take." It was under-

stood that, once clear of the harbor, the "Aguila

" should have

five minutes' start of the Montesquieu, after which we were to

crowd sail and begin the race.

The contest was quickly noised throughout the port, and the

captains smacked their lips over the dejeuner promised by the

boaster out of the five hundred dollars won from the " Yankee

nutshell." Accordingly, when all was ready and the breeze fa-


vored, the eastern cliffs of the Isle were crowded with spectators

to witness the regatta.

As we were first at sea and clear of the harbor, we delayed

for our antagonist ;and without claiming the conceded start of

five minutes, did not shoot ahead till our rival was within musket

shot. But then the tug began with a will;and as the Aguila

led, I selected her most favorable trim and kept her two points

free. The Montesquieu did the same, but confident of her speed,

did not spread all her canvas that would draw. The error, how-

ever, was soon seen. Our Chesapeake clipper crawled off as if

her opponent was at anchor;and in a jiffy every thing that could

be carried was sheeted home and braced to a hair. The breeze

was steady and strong. Soon the island was cleared entirely ;

and by keeping away another point, I got out of the Aguila her

utmost capacity as a racer. As she led off, the Montesquieu fol-

lowed,—but glass by glass, and hour by hour, the distance be-

tween us increased, till at sunset the boaster's hull was below the

horizon, and my bag taken in as a lawful prize.

I did not return to Praya after this adventure, but keeping

on towards the coast, in four days entered the Rio Salum, an in-

dependent river between the French island of Goree and the

British possessions on the Gambia. No slaver had haunted this

stream for many a year, so that I was obliged to steer my mos-

quito pilot-boat full forty miles in the interior, through man-

groves and forests, till I struck the trading ground of " the

king."

After three days' parley I had just concluded my bargain with

his breechless majesty, when a " barker"greeted me with the

cheerless message that the "Aguila

" was surrounded by man-of-

war boats ! It was true;but the mate refused an inspection of

his craft on neutralground^ and the naval folks departed. Never-

theless, a week after, when I had just completed my traffic, I was

seized by a gang of the treacherous king's own people ;delivered

to the second lieutenant of a French corvette—" La Bayon-

naise•,

"—and my lovely liitle Eagle caged as her lawful prey !

I confess I have never been able to understand the legal mer

its of this seizure, so far as the act of the French officers was


concerned, as no treaty existed between France and Spain for

tlie suppression of slavery. The reader will not be surprised to

learn, therefore, that there was a very loud explosion of wrath

among my men when they found themselves prisoners ;nor was

their fury diminished when our whole band was forced into a

dungeon at Goree, which, for size, gloom, and closeness, vied with

the celebrated black hole of Calcutta.

For three days were we kept in this filthy recfeptacle, in a

burning climate, without communication with friends or inhabit-

ants, and on scanty fare, till it suited the local authorities to

transfer us to San Luis, on the Senegal, in charge of a file of

marines, oTi hoard oxer own vessel !

San Luis is the residence of the governor and the seat of

the colonial tribunal, and here again we were incarcerated in a

military cachot, till several merchants who knew me on the Rio

Pongo, interfered, and had us removed to better quarters in the

military hospital. I soon learned that there was trouble amongthe natives. A war had broken out among some of the Moorish

tribes, some two hundred miles up the Senegal, and my Aguilawas a godsend to the Frenchmen, who needed just such a light

craft to guard their returning flotilla with merchandise from Ga-

tarn. Accordingly, the craft was armed, manned, and despatch-

ed on this expedition without waitmg the decree of a court as to

the laivfulness of her seizure !

Meanwhile, the sisters of charity—those angels of devoted

mercy, who do not shun even the heats and pestilence of Africa,

—made our prison life as comfortable as possible ;and had we

not seen gratings at the windows, or met a sentinel when we at-

tempted to go out, we might have considered ourselves valetudi-

narians instead of convicts.

A month oozed slowly away in these headquarters of suffering

before a military sergeant apprised us that he had been elevated

to the dignity of the long-robe, and appointed our counsel in the

approaching trial. No other lawyer was to be had in the colony

for love or money, and, perhaps, our military man might have

acquitted himself as well as the best, had not his superiors often

imposed silence on him during the argument.


By this time the nimble Aguila had made two most service-

able trips under the French oflBcers, and proved so valuable to the

Gallic government that no one dreamed of recovering her. The

colonial authorities had two alternatives under the circumstances,—either to pay for or condemn her,

—and as they knew I would

not be willing to take the craft again. after the destruction of myToyage, the formality of a trial was determined to legalize the

condemnation. It was necessary, however, even in Africa, to

show that I had violated the territory of the French colony by

trading in slaves, and that the Aguila had been caught in

the act.

I will not attempt a description of the court scene, in which

my military friend was browbeaten by the prosecutor, the prose-

cutor by the judge, and the judge by myself After various out-

rages and absurdities, a Mahometan slave was allowed to be

Bworn as a witness against me ; whereupon 1 burst forth with a

torrent of argument, defence, abuse, and scorn, till a couple of

Boldiers were called to keep my limbs and tongue in forensic

order.

But the deed was done. The foregone conclusion was for-

mally announced. The Aguila de Oro became King Louis Phi-

lippe's property, while my men were condemned to two, myofficers to five, and Don Teodor himself, to ten years' confinement

in the central prisons of la belle France !

Such was the style of colonial justice in the reign of Ic red

bourgeois !

My sentence aroused the indignation of many respectable mer-

chants at San Luis; and, of course, I did not lack kindly visits

in the stronghold to which I was reconducted. It was found to

be entirely useless to attack the sympathy of the tribunal, either

to procure a rehearing of the cause or mitigation of the judg-

ment. Presently, a generous friend introduced a saw suitable to

discuss the toughness of iron bars, and hinked that on the night

when my window gratings were severed, a boat might be found

waiting to transport me to the opposite shore of the river, whence

an independent chief would convey me on camels to Gambia.

I know not bow it was that the government got wind of my


projected flight, but it certainly did, and we were sent on board

a station ship lying in the stream. Still my friends did not

abandon me. I was apprised that a party,—bound on a shooting

frolic down the river on the first foggy morning,—would visit

the commander of the hulk,—a noted bon-vivant,— and while the

vessel was surrounded by â crowd of boats, I might slip over-

board amid the confusion. Under cover of the dense mist that

shrouds the surface of an African river at dawn, I could easily

elude even a ball if sent after me, and when T reached the shore,

a canoe would be ready to convey me to a friendly ship.

The scheme was peculiarly feasible, as the captain happenedto be a good fellow, and allowed me unlimited liberty about his

vessel. Accordingly, when the note had been duly digested, I

called my officers apart, and proposed their participation in myescape. The project was fully discussed by the fellows

;but the

risk of swimming, even in a fog, under the muzzles of muskets,

was a danger they feared encountering. I perceived at once that

it would be best to free myself entirely from the encumbrance of

such chicken-hearted lubbers, so I bade them take their own

course, but divided three thousand francs in government bills

among the gang, and presented my gold pocket chronometer to

the mate.

Next morning an impervious fog laid low on the bosom of the

Senegal, but through its heavy folds I detected the measured

beat of approaching oars, till five boats, with a sudden rush,

dashed alongside us with their noisy and clamorous crews.

Just at this very moment a friendly hand passed through

my arm, and a gentle tone invited me to a quarter-deck prome-

nade. It was our captain !

There was, of course, no possibility of declining the proff"ered

civility, for during the whole of my detention on board, the com-

mander had treated me with the most assiduous politeness." Mo7i cher Canot^'' said he, as soon as we got aft,

—"you

seem to take considerable interest in these visitors of ours, and I

wish from the bottom of my heart that you could join the sport ;

hut^ unfortunately for yoUy these gentlemeyi will not effect theif

purpose !"

TWENTY TEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. '^85

As I did not entirely comprehend,—

though I rather guessed,—his precise meaning, I made an evasive answer

; and, arm in

arm I was led from the deck to the cabin. When we were per-

fectly alone, he pointed to a seat, and frankly declared that I

had been betrayed by a Judas to his sergeant of marines ! I was

taken perfectly aback, as I imagined myself almost free, yet the

loss of liberty did not paralyze me as much as the perfidy of mymen. Like a stupid booby, I stood gazing with a fixed stare at

the captain, when the cabin door burst open, and with a shout

of joyous merriment the hunters rushed in to greet their

comrade.

My dress that morning was a very elaborate negligi. I had

purposely omitted coat, braces, stockings and shoes, so that myprivateer costume of trowsers and shirt was not calculated for

the reception of strangers. It was natural, therefore, that the

first sally of my friendly liberators should be directed against mytoilette

;I parried it, however, as adroitly as my temper would

allow, by reproaching them with their " unseasonable visit,

before I could complete the bath which they saw I was preparedfor !

"

The hint was understood;but the captain thought proper to

tell the entire tale. No man, he said, would have been happierthan he, had I escaped befpre the treachery. My friends were

entreated not to risk further attempts, which might subject meto severe restraints

;and my base comrades were forthwith sum-

moned to the cabin, where, in presence of the merchants, theywere forced to disgorge the three thousand francs and the chro-

nometer." But this," said Captain Z

,

"is not to be the end of

the comedy,—en avant, messieurs !

"as he led the way to the

mess-room, where a sumptuous dejeuner was spread for officers

and huntsmen, and over its fragrant fumes my disappointment

was, for a while, forgotten.

286 CAPTAIN canot: or,

CHAPTER XLIV.

For fifteen days more the angry captive bit his thumbs on

the taffrail of the guard-ship, and gazed either at vacancy or

the waters of the Senegal. At the end of that period, a

gunboat transferred our convict party to the frigate Flora,

whose first lieutenant, to whom I had been privately recom-

mended, separated me immediately from my men. The scoun-

drels were kept close prisoners during the whole voyage to

France, while my lot was made as light as possible, under the

severe sentence awarded at San Luis.

The passage was short. At Brest, they landed me privately,

while my men and officers were paraded through the streets at

midday, under a file oi gens d\irmes. I am especially grateful

to the commander of this frigate, who alleviated my sufferings

by his generous demeanor in every respect, and whose repre-

sentations to the government of France caused my sentence to

be subsequently modified to simple imprisonment.

I have so many pleasant recollections of this voyage as a

convict in the Flora, that I am loth to recount the following

anecdote; yet I hardly think it ought to be omitted, for it is

characteristic in a double aspect. It exhibits at once the chival-

ric courtesy and the coarse boorishness of some classes in tho

naval service of France, at the period I am describing.


On board our frigate there were two Sisters of Charity, who

were returning to their parent convent in France, after five years

of colonial self-sacrifice in the pestilential marshes of Africa.

These noble women lodged in a large state-room, built expressly

for their use and comfort on the lower battery-deck, and, accord-

ing to the ship's rule, were entitled to mess with the lieutenants

in their wardroom. It so happened, that among the ofificers, there

was one of those vulgar dolts, whose happiness consists in making

others as uncomfortable as possible, both by bullying manners

and lewd conversation. He seemed to delight in losing no op

portunity to offend the ladies while at table, by ridiculing their

calling and piety ; yet, not content with these insults, which the

nuns received with silent contempt, he grew so bold on one occa-

sion, in the midst of dinner, as to burst forth with a song so

gross, that it would have disgraced the orgies of a cabaret. The

Sisters instantly arose, and, next morning, refused their meals

in the wardroom, soliciting the steward to supply them a sailor's

ration in their cabin, where they might be free from dishonor.

But the charitable women were soon missed from mess, and

when the steward's report brought the dangerous idea of a court-

martial before the terrified imagination of the vulgarians, a

prompt resolve was made to implore pardon for the indecent offi-

cer, before the frigate's captain could learn the outrage. It is

needless to add that the surgeon—who was appointed ambassa-

dor—easily obtained the mercy of these charitable women, and

that, henceforth, our lieutenants' wardroom was a model of social

propriety.

The Prison of Brest.

I was not very curious in studying the architecture of the

strong stone lock-up, to which they conducted me in the stern

and ugly old rendezvous of Brest. I was sick as soon as I

beheld it from our deck. The entrance to the harbor, through

the long, narrow, rocky strait, defended towards the sea by a


frowning castle, and strongly fortified towards the land, looked

to me like passing through the throat of a monster, who was to

swallow me for ever. But I had little time for observation or

reflection on external objects,—my business was with interiors :

and when the polite midshipman with whom I landed bade fare-

well, it was only to transfer me to the concierge of a prison

within the royal arsenal. Here I was soon joined by the crew

and officers. For a while, I rejected their penitence ;but a man

who is suddenly swept from the wild libjrty of Africa, and

doomed for ten years to penitential seclusion, becomes wonder-

fully forgiving when loneliness eats into his heart, and eternal

silence makes the sound of his own voice almost insupportable.

One by one, therefore, was restored at least to sociability ;so

that, when I embraced the permission of our keeper to quit mycell, lind move about the prison bounds, I found myself sur-

rounded by seventy or eighty marines and seamen, who were

undergoing the penalties of various crimes. The whole estab-

lishment was under the surveillance of a naval commissary, sub-

ject to strict regulations. In due time, two spacious rooms were

assigned for my gang, while the jailer, who turned out to be an

amphibious scamp,—half sailor, half soldier,

—assured us," on

the honor of a viexix inilitaire,'''' that his entire jurisdiction should

be our limits so long as we behaved with propriety.

Next day I descended to take exercise in a broad court-yard,

over whose lofty walls the fresh blue sky looked temptingly ;and

was diligently chewing the cud of bitter fancies, when a stout

elderly man, in shabby uniform, came to a military halt before

me, and, abruptly saluting in regulation style, desired the favor

of a word."Pardon, mon brave I

" said the intruder," but I should be

charmed if Monsieur le capitaine will honor me by the informa-

tion whether it has been his lot to enjoy the accommodations of

a French prison, prior to the unlucky mischance which gives us

the delight of his society !

"

"No," said I, sulkily.

"Encore,'''' continued the questioner,

" will it be disa

greeable, if I improve this opportunity, by apprising Monsieur


le capitaine, on the part of our companions and comrades, of the

regulations of this ro^'al institution ?"

"By no means," returned I, somewhat softer.

"Then, mon cher, the sooner you are initiated into the mys-

teries of the craft the better, and no one will go through the

ceremony more explicitly, briefly and satisfactorily, than myself—le Caporal Blon. First of all, mon brave, and most indispen-

sable, as your good sense will teach you, it is necessary that

every new comer is bound to pay his footing among the "govern'

metit boarders ;" and as you, Monsieur le capitaine, seem to be

the honored chef of this charming little squadron, I will make

bold to thank you for a Louis cVor, or a Napoleon, to insure

your welcome."

The request was no sooner out than complied with.

" Bicn !" continued the corporal,

"c''cst un ban enfant,

parbleu ! Now, I have but one more mystere to impart, and

that is a regulation which no clever chap disregards. We are

companions in misery ;we sleep beneath one roof

;we eat out of

one kettle;—in fact, 7ious sommes frcrcs, and the secrets of

brothers are sacred, within these walls, frojn jailers and turn-

keys !"

As he said these words, he pursed up his mouth, bent his

eyes scrutinizingly into mine, and laying his finger on his lip,

brought his right hand once more, with a salute, to the oily rem-

nant of a military cap.

I was initiated. I gave the required pledge for my party,

and, in return, was assured that, in any enterprise undertaken

for our escape,—which seemed to be the great object and concern

of every body's prison-life,—we should be assisted and protected

by our fellow^-sufferers.

Most of this day was passed in our rooms, and, at dark, after

being mustered and counted, we were locked up for the night.

For some time we moped and sulked, according to the fashion of

all new convicts, but, at length, we sallied forth in a body to the

courtyard, determined to take the world as it went, and make

the best of a bad bargain.

I soon fell into a pleasant habit of chatting familiarly with


old Corporal Blon, who was grand chamberlain, or master of cere.

monies, to our penal household, and turned out to be a good

fellow, though a frequent offender against"

le coq de Fraiicey

Blon drew me to a seat in the sunshine, which I enjoyed, after

shivering in the cold apartments of the prison ; and, stepping off

among the prisoners, began to bring them up for introduction to

Don Teodor, separately. First of all, I had the honor of re-

ceiving Monsieur Laramie, a stout, stanch, well-built marine,

who professed to be maitre d'armes of out "royal boarding-

house," and tendered his services in teaching me the use of

rapier and broadsword, at the rate of a frayic per week. Next

came a burly, beef-eating bully, half sailor, half lubber, who ap-

proached with a swinging gait, and was presented ^sfrere Zouche,

teacher of single stick, who was also willing to make me skilful

in my encounters with foot-pads for a reasonable salary. Then

followed a dancing-master, a tailor, a violin-teacher, a shoe-

maker, a letter-writer, a barber, a clothes-washer, and various

other useful and reputable tradespeople or professors, all of

whom expressed anxiety to inform my mind, cultivate my taste,

expedite my correspondence, delight my ear, and improve myappearance, for weekly stipends.

I did not, at first, understand precisely the object of all their

ceremonious appeals to my purse, but I soon discovered from

Corporal Blon,—who desired an early discount of his note,—

that I was looked on as a sort of Don Magnifico from Africa,

who had saved an immense quantity of gold from ancient traffic,

all of which I could command, in spite of imprisonment.

So I thought it best not to undeceive the industrious wretches,

and, accordingly, dismissed each of them with a few kind words,

and promised to accept their offers when I became a little more

familiar with my quarters.

After breakfast, I made a tour of the corridors, to see

whether the representations of my morning courtiers were true;

and found the shoemakers and tailors busy over toeless boots

and patchwork garments. One alcove contained the violinist

and dancing-master, giving lessons to several scapegraces in the

terpsichorean art;in another was the letter-writer, laboriously

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER, 291

adorning a sheet with cupids, hearts, flames, and arrows, while

a love-lorn booby knelt beside him, dictating a message to hia

mistress;

in a hall I found two pupils of Monsieur Laramie at

quart and tiircc ; in the corridors I came upon a string of tables,

filled with cigars, snuff, writing-paper, ink, pens, wax, wafers, nee-

dles and thread; while, in the remotest cell, I discovered a pawn-

broker and gambling-table. Who can doubt that a real Gaul

knows how to kill time, when he is unwillingly converted into a

"government boarder," and transfers the occupations, amuse-

ments, and vices of life, to the recesses of a prison !

Very soon after my incarceration at Brest, I addressed a

memorial to the Spanish consul, setting forth the afflictions of

twenty-two of his master's subjects, and soliciting the interfer-

ence of our ambassador at Paris. We were promptly visited bythe consul and an eminent lawyer, who asserted his ability to

stay proceedings against the ratification of our sentence; but, as

the Spanish minister never thought fit to notice our misfortunes,

the efforts of the lawyer and the good will of our consul were

ineffectual. Three months glided by, while I lingered at Brest;

yet my heart did not sink with hope delayed, for the natural

buoyancy of my spirit sustained me, and I entered with avidity

upon all the schemes and diversions of our stronghold.

Blon kept me busy discounting his twenty sous notes, which

I afterwards always took care to lose to him at cards. Then I

patronized the dancing-master ;took two months' lessons with

Laramie and Zouche; caused my shoes to be thoroughly mended ;

had my clothes repaired and scoured; and, finally, patronized all

the various industries of my comrades, to the extent of two hun-

dred francs.

Suddenly, in the midst of these diversions, an order came

for our immediate transfer to the civil prison of Brest, a gloomytower in the walled chatccni of that detestable town.

292 CAPTAIN canot; oa,

CHAPTER XLV.

I WAS taken from one prison to the other in a boat, and one a

more spared the mortification of a parade through the streets,

under a guard of soldiers.

• A receipt was given for the whole squad to the brigadier who

chaperoned us. My men were summarily distributed by the

jailer among the cells already filled with common malefactors;

but, as the appearance of the officers indicated the possession of

cash, the turnkey ofi'ered" la salle de disti7iction " for our use,

provided we were satisfied with a monthly rent of ten francsI thought the French government was bound to find suitable

accommodations for an involuntary guest, and that it was rather

hard to imprison me first, and make me pay board afterwards;

but, on reflection, I concluded to ac-cept the offer, hard as it was,

and, accordingly, we took possession of a large apartment, with

two grated windows looking upon a narrow and sombre court-

yard.

We had hardly entered the room, when a buxom woman fol-

lowed with the deepest curtseys, and declared herself " most

happy to have it in her power to supply us with beds and bed-

ding, at ten sous per day." She apprised us, moreover, that the

daily prison fare consisted of two pounds and a half of black

bread, with water d discretion, but if we wished, she might irtro


duce the vivanditre of the regiment, stationed in the chateau,

who would supply our meals twice a day from the mess of the

petty officers.

My money had not been seriously moth-eaten during our pre-

vious confinement, so that I did not hesitate to strike a bargainwith Madame Sorret, and to request that la vivandiirc mightmake her appearance on the theatre of action as soon as possible.

Presently, the door opened again, and the dame reappeared ac-

companied by two Spanish women, wives of musicians in the

corps, who had heard that several of their countrymen had that

morning boon incarcerated, and availed themselves of the earliest

chance to visit and succor them.

For the thousandth time I blessed the noble heart that over

beats in the breast of a Spanish woman when distress or calamity

appeals, and at once proceeded to arrange the diet of our future

prison life. We were to have two meals a day of three dishes,

for each of which we were to pay fifteen sous in advance. The

bargain made, we sat Sown on the floor for a chat.

My brace of Catalan visitors had married in this regimentwhen the Duke d'Angouleme marched his troops into Spain ;

and

like faithful girls, followed their husbands in all their meanderingsabout France since the regiment's return. As two of my officers

were Catalouians by birth, a friendship sprang up like wildfire

between us, and from that hour, these excellent women not only

visited us daily, but ran our errands, attended to our health,

watched us like sisters, and procured all those little comforts

which the tender soul of the sex can alone devise.

I hope that few of my readers have personal knowledge of

the treatment or fare of civil prisons in the provinces of France

during the republican era of which I am writing. I think it well

to set down a record of its barbarity.

As I before said, the regular ration consisted exclusively of

black bread and water. Nine pounds of straw were allowed

weekly to each prisoner for his lair. Neither blankets nor cov-

ering were furnished, even in the winter, and as the cells are

built without stoves or chimneys, the wretched convicts were

compelled to huddle together in heaps to keep from perishing.


Besides this, the government denied all supplies of fresh rai-

ment, so that the wretches who were destitute of friends or

means, were alive and hideous with vermin in a few days after

incarceration. No amusement was allowed in the fresh air save

twice a week, when the prisoners were turned out on the flat roof

of the tower, where they might sun themselves for an hour or two

under the muzzle of a guard.

Such was the treatment endured by twelve of my men duringthe year they continued in France. There nre some folks who

may be charitable enough to remark—that slavers deserved no

better !

I believe that convicts in the central prisons of France, where

they were either made or allowed to work, fared better in every

respect than in the provincial lock-ups on the coast. There is no

doubt, however, that the above description at the epoch of my in-

carceration, was entirely true of all the smaller jurisdictions,

whose culprits were simply doomed to confinement without labor.

Often did my heart bleed for the poor sailors, whom I aided

to the extent of prudence from my slender means, when I knewnot how long it might be my fate to remain an inmate of the

chateau. After these unfortunate men had disposed of all their

spare garments to obtain now and then a meagre soup to moisten

their stony loaves, they were nearly a year without tasting

either meat or broth ! Once only,—on the anniversary of

St. Philippe,—the Sisters of Charity gave them a pair of bul-

lock's heads to make 2^festival in honor of the Good King of the

French !


CHAPTEK XLVI.

As the apartment rented by us from the jailer was the only one

in the prison he had a right to dispose of for his own benefit, se-

veral other culprits, able to pay for comfortable lodgings, were

from time to time locked up in it. These occasional visitors af-

forded considerable entertainment for our seclusion, as they were

often persons of quality arrested for petty misdemeanors or po-

litical opinions, and sometimes chevaliers d''industries whose pro-

fessional careers were rich with anecdote and adventure.

It was probably a month after we began our intimacy with

this "government boarding-house

" that our number was in-

creased by a gentleman of cultivated manners and foppish cos-

tume. He was, perhaps, a little too much over-dressed with chains,

trinkets, and perfumed locks, to be perfectly comme il faut^ yet

there was an intellectual power about his forehead and eyes, and

a bewitching smile on his lips, that insinuated themselves into

my heart the moment I beheld him. He was precisely the sort

of man who is considered by nine tenths of the world as a very*'

fascinating individual."

Accordingly, I welcomed the stranger most cordially in

French, and was still more bewitched by the retiring shyness of

his modest demeanor. As the jailer retired, a wink signified

his desire to commune with me apart in his office, where I learn-


ed that the new comer had been arrested under a charge of courts

terfeiting, but on account of his genteel appearance and blood, was

placed in our apartment. I had no doubt that neither appearance

nor blood had been the springs of sympathy in the jailer's heart,

but that the artificial money-maker had judiciously used certain

lawful coins to insure better quarters. Nevertheless, I did not

hesitate to approve the turnkey's disposal of the suspected felon,

and begged him to make no apologies or give himself concern as

to the quality of the article that could aflfo.d us a moment's

amusement in our dreary den.

I next proceeded to initiate my gentleman into the mysteries

of the chateau ; and as dinner was about serving, I suggested that

the most important of our domestic rites on such occasions, impe-

ratively required three or four bottles of first rate claret.

By this time we had acquired a tolerable knack of "slaugh-

tering the evening." Our Spanish girls supplied us with guitars

and violins, which my comrades touched with some skill. Wewere thus enabled to give an occasional soiree dansante^ assisted

by la Vivandiere, her companions Dolorescita, Concha, Madame

Sorret, and an old maid who passed for her sister. The arrival

of the counterfeiter enabled us to make up a full cotillon without

the musicians. Our soirees, enlivened by private contributions

and a bottle or two of wine, took place on Thursdays and Sun-

days, while the rest of the week was passed in playing cards,

reading romances, writing petitions, flirting with the girls, and

cursing our fate and the French government. Fits of wrath

against the majesty of Gaul were more frequent in the early

morning, when the pleasant sleeper would be suddenly roused

from happy dreams by the tramp of soldiers and grating bolts,

which announced the unceremonious entrance of our inspector to

count his cattle and sound our window gratings.

But time wastes one's cash as well as one's patience in prison.

The more we grumbled, danced, drank, and eat, the more we spent

or lavished, so that my funds looked very like a thin sediment

at the bottom of the purse, when I began to reflect upon means of

replenishing. I could not beg; I was master of no handicraft;

nor was I willing to descend among the vermin of the common

TWENTY YEARS OF AN aJ'RICAN SLAVER, 297

cliaingang. Shame prevented an application to my relatives in

France or Italy ;and when I addressed my old partner or former

friends in Cuba, I was not even favored with a reply. At last,

my little trinkets and gold chronometer were sacrificed to paythe lawyer for a final memorial and to liquidate a week's

lodging in advance."Now, mon enfant^'' said JMadame Sorret, as she took my

money,—

trimm.ing her cap, and looking at me with that thrifty

interest that a Frenchwoman always knows how to turn to the

best account;—

'"now, mon enfant,—this is your X^'&i franc and

your last week in my apartment, you say ;

—your last week iu

a room where you and I, and Babette, Dolorescita, and Concha,and Monsiair, have had such good times ! Mais pourquoi, monclier ? why shall it be your last week ? Come let us think a bit.

Won't it be a thousand times better;won't it do you a vast

deal more good,—if instead of sacrcin^ le bon Louis Philippe,

—paying lawyers for memorials that are never read,

—hoping for

letters from the Spanish envoy which never come, and eating

your heart up in spite and bitterness—you look the matter plumpin the face like a man, and not like a polisson, and turn to ac-

jount those talents which it has pleased le hon Dieu to give

you ? Voyez vous, Capitaine Teodore,—you speak foreign lan-

guages like a native;and it was no longer than yesterday that

Monsieur Randanne, your advocate, as he came down from the

last interview with you, stopped at my bureau, and— * Ah ! Ma-dame Sorret,' said he * what a linguist poor Canot is,

—how de-

lightfully he speaks English, and how glad I should be if he had

any place in which he could teach my sons the noble tongue of

the great Skatspeer !

'

"Now, mon capitaine" continued she,

" what the good Randanne said, has been growing in my mind ever since, like the

salad seed in the box that is sunned in our prison yard. In

fact, I have fixed the matter perfectly. You shall have my bed-

room for a schoolhouse; and, if you will, you may begin to-mor-

row with my two sous for pupils, at fifteen francs a month !

"

Did I not bless the wit and heart of woman again and again13*


in my joy of industrial deliverance ! The heart of woman—that

noble heart ! burn it in the fire of Africa; steep it in the snow of

Sweden; lap it in the listless elysium of Indian tropics ; cage it

in the centre of dungeons, as the palpitating core of that stony

rind,—

yet every where and always, throughout my wild career,

has it been the last sought—but surest, sweetest, and truest of

devoted friends !

Aide toi, et D'leu Vaidera I—was my motto from that mo

ment. For years it was the first lesson of intellectual power and

self-reliance that had checkered a life of outlawry, in which ad-

venturous impatience preferred the gambling risks of fortune to

the slow accretions of regular toil. I was a schoolmaster !

Madame Sorret's plan was perfectly successful. In less than

a week I was installed in her chamber, with a class formed of mylady's lads, a son and friend of my lawyer, and a couple of sons

of officers in the chateau;the whole producing a monthly income

of fifty francs. As I assumed my vocation with the spirit of a

needy professor, I gained the good will of all the parents byassiduous instruction of their children. Gradually I extended

the sphere of my usefulness, by adding penmanship to my other

branches of tuition;and so well did I please the parents, that

they volunteered a stipend of eighteen francs more.

I would not dare afiirm, that my pupils made extraordinary

progress ; yet I am sure the children not only acquired cleverly

but loved me as a companion. My scheme of instruction was

not modelled upon that of other pedagogues ;for I simply con-

tented myself, in the small class, with reasoning out each lesson

thoroughly, and never allowing the boys to depart till they com-

prehended every part of their task. After this, it was my habit to

engage their interest in language, by familiar dialogues, which

taught them the names of furniture, apparel, instruments, imple-

ments, animals, occupations, trades;and thus I led them insen-

sibly from the most simple nomenclature to the most abstract.

I deprived the interview, as much as I could, of task-like for-

mality ;and invariably closed the school with a story from my

travels or adventures. I may not have ripened my scholars into


classical Anglo-Saxons, but I have the happiness to know that I

earned an honest living, supported my companions, and obtained

the regard of my pupils to such a degree, that the little band

accompanied me with tears to the ship, when, long afterwards, I

was sent a happy exile from France.

300 CAPTAIN CANOT I OR.

CHAPTER XLVII.

1 HAVE said that our genteel felon was not only refined in manners but shy towards his new companions ; nor, for several weeks,

could all our efforts rub off his reserve. I was not surprised that

he kept aloof from the coarser inmates, but I was not prepared

to find that all iny own advances to confidence and companionship,

were repulsed with even more decision than those of my ofiicers.

At last, some passing event disclosed my true character to him,

when I learned for the first time that he had mistaken me for a

government spy ; inasmuch as he could not otherwise account for

my intimacy with Madame Sorret and her spouse.

Our first move towards confidence was owing to the follow-

ing circumstance. I had been engaged one forenoon in writing

a letter to my mother, when Madame Sorret sent for me to see the

Sisters of Charity, who were making their rounds with a few

comforts for the convicts. I made my toilette and repaired to

the parlor, where the charitable women, who heard many kind

things of me from the landlady, bestowed a liberal donation of

books. Returning quickly to my letter, which I had left openon the table, confident that no one in the room read Italian, I

again took up my pen to finish a paragraph. But, as I observed

the page, it seemed that I had not written so much, yet the sheet

was nearly full of words, and all in my handwriting. I reperused

TAVENTY TEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 301

the document and found several lines, which, though iu perfect

keeping with the sense and context of the composition, were cer-

tainly not in mj natural style. I was sure I had not used the

complimentary language, to which I am always so averse. Still

I read the page again—

again—and again ! I got up ;

walked

about the room;took the paper to the window

; put it down;

walked about again, and then reperused the letter. For my life,

I could not detect the precise difficulty that puzzled me. The

paper was, perhaps, bewitched ! It was mine, and yet it was not !

In my dilemma, I rolled out a round Spanish carraviba or two;

and, with an Ave Maria of utter bewilderment, began to put up

my writing materials.

My companions, who had been huddled in a corner, watching

my actions, could stand it no longer, but bursting into peals of

hearty laughter, announced that Monsieur Germaine had taken

the liberty to add a postscript, while I was deep in literature

with the Sisters of Charity !

The ice was broken ! Monsieur Germaine was not yet con-

victed, so we gave him the benefit of the British law, and resolvingto " consider the fellow innocent till proved to be guilty," weraised him to the dignity of companionship. His education

was far superior to mine, and his conversational powers were

wonderful. He seemed perfectly familiar with Latin and Greek,and had a commanding knowledge of history, theology, mathe-

matics, and astronomy. I never met his equal in penmanship,

drawing, and designing.

A few days of sociability sufficed to win a mutual confidence,

and to demand the mutual stories of our lives.

Germaine was born so high up on those picturesque borders

of Piedmont, that it was difficult to say whether the Swiss or

Italian predominated in his blood. The troubles and wars of

the region impoverished his parents, who had been gentlefolks in

better times; yet they managed to bestow the culture that made

him the accomplished person I have described. No opportunity

offered, however, for his advancement as he reached maturity,and it was thought best that he should go abroad iu search of

fortune. For a while the quiet and modest youth was successful

302 CAPTAIN CANOT, OR,

in the humbler employments to which he stooped for bread;but

his address and talents, and especially his skill in designing and

penmanship, attracted the notice of a sharper, with whom he

accidentally became intimate;so that, before he knew it, the

adroit scrivener was both used and compromised by the knave.

In truth, I do not suppose that Germaine's will was made of

stern and tough materials. Those soft and gentle beings are

generally disposed to grasp the pleasures of life without labor;

and whenever a relaxed conscience has once allowed its possessor

to tamper with crime, its success is not only a stimulant but a

motive for farther enterprise. Germaine was soon a successful*

forger. He amassed twenty or thirty thousand francs by prac-

tices so perfect in their execution, that he never dreamed of

detection. But, at last, a daring speculation made him our com-

panion in the tower.

Three days before his introduction to the chateau of Brest,

and a few hours before the regular departure of the Paris mail,

Germaine called on an exchange broker with seventeen thousand

francs in gold, with which he purchased a sight draft on the

capital. Soon after he called a second time on the broker, and

exhibiting a letter of orders, bearing a regular post-mark, ft-om

his principals, who were alleged to be oil merchants at Mar-

seilles, desired to countermand the transaction, and receive back

his gold for the bill of exchange which he tendered. The prin-

cipal partner of the brokers did not happen to be within at the

moment, and the junior declined complying till his return. En

attendant^ Monsieur Germaine sallied forth, and offered a neigh-

boring broker an additional half per cent, on the current value

of gold for the cash. He expressed, as the cause of this sacri-

fice, extreme anxiety to depart by the four o'clock diligence^ but

the urgency aroused the broker's suspicion, and led him to

request Germaine's return in half an hour, which he required to

collect the specie.

The incautious forger went off to his hotel with the promise

in his ear, while the wary broker dropped in on the drawers of

the draft to compare notes. The result of the interview was a

visit to the bureau de police, whence a couple of officers were


despatched to Gcrraainc's hotel. They entered the dandy's room

in disguise, but they were not quick enough to save from destruc-

tiob several proof impressions of blank drafts, which the coun-

terfeiter cast into the fire the moment he heard a knock at his

door. In his trunks, they found engraving tools, a small press,

various acids and a variety of inks;

all of which were duly noted

and preserved, while Monsieur Germaine was committed to the

chateaic.

In those days there were no electric wires, and as the wea-

ther became thick and cloudy, the old-fashioned semaphore or

telegraph was useless in giving notice to the Parisian police to

stop the payment of a suspected draft, and arrest the forger's

accomplice in the capital.

Soon after the mail of that day from Brest reached the

metropolis, a lady of most respectable appearance, clad in mourn-

ing, presented herself at the counter of the broker's Parisian

correspondent, and exhibiting an unquestionable draft, drew

seventeen thousand francs. From the rapidity with which the

whole of this adroit scheme was accomplished in Brest and Paris,

it seems that Germaine required but four hours to copy, engrave,

print and fill up the forged bill;and yet, so perfectly did he

succeed, that when the discharged draft came back to Brest,

neither drawers, brokers, nor police could distinguish between the

true one and the false ! No one had seen Germaine at work, or

could prove complicity with the lady. The mourning dame

was nowhere to be found in Paris, Brest or Marseilles;so that

when I finally quitted the chateau^ the adroit chevalier was still

an inmate, but detained only 07i suspicion I

304 CAPTAIN canot; oe,I

CHAPTER XLVIII.

This charming young soldier of fortune Tvas our room-mate for

nine months, and engaged in several of our enterprises for escape.

But Germaine was more a man oi finesse than action, and his im-

prisonment was the first mishap of that nature in his felonious

career;

so that I cannot say I derived much advantage, either

from his contrivances or suggestions.

I always cultivated a sneaking fondness for the sex, and was,

perhaps, especially devoted to those who might aid me if they

pleased, when I got into difficulties. Into this category, under

existing circumstances, fell that very worthy person. Mademoi-

selle Babette, whom I have heretofore rather ungallautly reported

as an "antique virgin." It is true that Babette was, perhaps,

not as young as she had been;but an unmarried Frenchwoman

is unquestionably possessed of an elixir against age,—some

eau restoratif^—with which she defies time, preserves her out-

lines, and keeps up that elastic gayety of heart, which renders

her always the most delightful of companions. Now, I do not

pretend, when I flirted with Babette, and sometimes made

downright love to the damsel, that I ever intended leading her


to any of the altars of Brest, when it should please the "king of

the barricades"

to release me from prison. No such design ever

possessed my mind, at the age of twenty-seven, towards a maid

of thirty. Yet, I confess that Babettc bewitched the sting and

memory from many an hour of prison-life, and played the com-

edy of love a la Francaise to such perfection, that I doubt not

her heart rebounded from the encounter as scarlcss as my own.

Germaine joked me very often about the tender passion, the

danger of trifling with youthful hearts, and the risk I ran from

encounters with such glittering eyes ; till, one day, he suggested

that we should, take advantage of the flirtation, by turning it to

our benefit in flight. Sorret and his wife often went out in the

afternoon, and left the gate and the keys solely in charge of

Babettc, who improved their absence by spending half the time

in our apartment. Now, Germaine proposed that, during one of

these absences, I should, in my capacity as teacher, feign some

excuse to leave our room, and, if I found the lieutenant porter-

ess unwilling to yield the keys to my passionate entreaty, we

would unhesitatingly seize, gag, and muffle the damsel so securely,

that, with the keys in our possession, we might open the gates,

and pass without question the only sentinels who guarded the

exterior corridor. Germaine was eloquent upon the merit of his

echeme, while, to my mind, it indicated the bungling project of a

beginner, and was promptly rejected, because I would not injure

with violence the innocent girl I had trifled with, and because I

would not dishonor the kindness of Sorret and his wife, by com-

promising their j^crsoyial vigilance.

Next morning, Germaine turned over to me long before day-

light, and whispered his delight that I had discarded his scheme,

for it" never could have been perfected without passports to

quit the town !

" This deficiency, he said, had absorbed his

-mind the livelong night, and, at last, a bright thought suggested

the supply."Babettc," continued the forger,

"is not to be molested in

any way, so you may make your mind easy about your sweet

heart, though I am afraid she will not be able to accompany us

in our enterprise. First and foremost, we must have a visit


from our Spanish girls to-morrow, and, as you enjoy more influ

ence than I, it will be best for you to prepare them. Dolores,

who is by far the cleverest of the party, is to go with Concha

boldly to the prefecture of police, and demand passports for

Paris. These, in all likelihood, will be furnished without question. The passports once in hand, our deinoiselles must be ofl

to an apothecary's for such acids as I shall prescribe ;and then,

mon capitaine, leave the rest to me !

"

I turned the matter over in my mind, prjtending to finish a

morning nap, and, while we were dressing, assented. The Span-

ish women, who never refused their countrymen a. favor, daringly

obtained the passports, and smuggled them into prison with the

required acids. Before night the deed was done;the gender

of the documents was changed ;Germaine was metamorphosed

into" Pietro Nazzolini^'^ a tailor, and I was turned into a cer-

tain " Dominico Antonetti^'' by trade a carpenter !

How to escape was our next concern. This could not be

effected without breaking prison,—a task of some enterprise, as

our apartment was above a store-room, always closed, barred, and

locked. The door of our room opened on a long passage, broken

at intervals by several iron gates before the main portal was

reached;so that our only hope was the single window, that illu-

minated our apartment and looked into a small yard, guardedafter sunset by a sentinel. This court, moreover, was entirely

hemmed in by a wall, which, if successfully escaladed, would

lead us to the parade ground of the chateau.

Days passed, while my dull brain and the kindled fancy of

the new Nazzolini were inventing plans. Pietro had schemes

enough, for his imagination was both vivid and ceaseless;but

whenever he came to reduce them to words, it was always found

that they required a little more ''

2'>olhhing in certain links,"

which he forthwith retired to perform.

One of our greatest difficulties was, how to deal with myofficers, who had proved so false on the Senegal. We debated

the matter for a long time; but, considering that they were sick

of long confinement and bereft of future comfort without mylabor we resolved to let them partake our flight, though, once


outside the chateau, we would abandon them to their ownresources.

Accordingly, we imparted our scheme, which was eagerly

embraced; and, through the kindness of our Spanish girls, we

secretly despatched all our spare garments, so that we might not

issue bare into the censorious world.

All being prepared, it was proposed by Signore Pietro that

New Year, which was at hand, should be signalized by our enter-

prise. As I had carefully kept and secreted the saw received

from my Goree friends, we possessed a most valuable implement;so that it was resolved to attack a bar the moment we had been

mustered and locked up on that auspicious night. At eleven, a

descent into the court beneath the window was to be commenced,

and, if this proved successful, there was no doubt we could reach

the beach across the parade. But the sentinel still required"polishing

" out of the courtyard ! This was a tremendous

obstacle; still, Gcrmaine once more put on his fancy-wings, and

recommended that our fair Catalans, whose occupation made

them familiar with the whole regiment, should ascertain the sen-

tinels for the night in question, and, as it was a festival, they

might easily insinuate a few bottles of brandy into the guard-

house, and prepare the soldiery for sleep instead of vigilance.

But the success and merit of this plan were considered so doubt-

ful, that another scheme was kept in reserve to silence the sol-

dier whose duty required a continual march beneath our window.

If the women failed to accomplish our wishes with liquor, and if

the sentry persisted in a vigilant promenade, it was proposed, as

soon as the bar parted, to drop the noose of a lazo quietly over

bis head, and dragging him with a run to the window-sill, knock

out his brains, if necessary, with the iron.

The last days of December were at hand; every body was

busy with hope or preparation ;the women carried off our gar-

ments;

then they brought us an abundance of fishing lines,

hidden beneath their petticoats ; and, finally, a rope, strong

enough to hang a man, was spun in darkness by the whole

detachment.

The wished-for day at length came, with the jollity, merri-


ment, and drunkenness, that attend it almost universally through-out la belle France. But there was not so sober a party in the

kingdom as that which was anxiously gathered together over a

wineless meal in the chateau of Brest. We trembled lest a

word, a traitor, or an accident, should frustrate our hope of life

and freedom.

In the afternoon, our Spanish women, gay with fresh apparel,

dashing ribbons, and abundant claret, visited their fluttering

birds in the cage, and assured success. Tne sergeant of the

guard was married to one of their intimate friends, and, in her

company, they were confident, on such a night, of reaching the

guard-room. A long embrace, perhaps a kiss, and a most affec-

tionate farewell !

Supper was over. Muster passed. Oh ! how slowly was

drawn the curtain of darkness over that shortest of days. Would

night never come ? It did. By eight o'clock the severed bar

hung by threads, while the well-greased lazo lay coiled on the

sill. Nine o'clock brought the sentinel, who began his customary

tramp with great regularity, but broke forth in a drinking songas soon as the sergeant was out of hearino-.

So impatient were my comrades for escape, that they declined

waiting till the appointed hour of eleven, and, at ten, rangedthemselves along the floor, with the end of the rope firmly

grasped, ready for a strong and sudden pull, while the intrepid

Germaine stood by, bar in hand, ready to strike, if necessary.

At a signal from me, after I had dropped the lazo, they were to

haul* up, make fast, and follow us through the aperture by a

longer rope, which was already fastened for our descent.

Softly the sash was opened, and, stretching my neck into the

darkness, I distinctly saw, by a bright star-light,' the form of the

sentinel, pacing, with staggering strides, beneath the casement.

Presently, he came to a dead halt, at the termination of a roulade

in his song, and, in a wink, the lazo was over him. A kick with

my heel served for signal to tho halliards, and up flew the pend-ant against the window-5ill. But, alas ! it was not the sentineL

The noose had not slipped or caught with sufficient rapidity, and

escaping the soldier's neck, it only grasped and secured his chako


and musket. In an instant, I saw the fatal misfortune, and,

clearing the weapon, dropped it, plumb, on the head of the tipsy

and terrified guardsman. Its fall must have stunned and pros-

trated the poor fellow, for not a word or groan escaped from the

court-yard.

310 CAPTAIN canot: or

CHAPTEE XLIX

Silent as was the sentinel after the restoration of his musket^ it

was, nevertheless, unanimously voted that our enterprise was a

failure. Accordingly, the bar was replaced, the window closed,

our implements stowed in the mattresses, and ourselves packedbeneath the blankets, in momentary expectation of a visit from

the jailer and military commander. We passed the night in

feverish expectation, but our bolts remained undrawn.

Bright and early, with a plenteous breakfast, appeared our

spirited Spaniards, and, as the turnkey admitted and locked them

in, they burst into a fit of uproarious laughter at our maladroit

adventure. The poor sentinel, they said, was found, at the end

of his watch, stretched on the ground in a sort of fainting fit

and half frozen. He swore, in accounting for a bleeding skull,

that an invisible hand from the store-room beneath us, had dealt

him a blow that felled him to the earth ! His story was so silly

and maudlin, that the captain of the guard, who remembered the

festival and knew the tipsiness of the entire watch, gave no heed

to the tale, but charged it to the account of New Year and

eau de vie. We were sadly jeered by the lasses for our want of

pluck, in forsaking the advantage fortune had thrown in our way,and I was specially charged to practise my hand more carefully

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 3 1 1

with the lazo, when I next got a chance on the plantations of

Cuba, or among the vaqueros of Mexico.

As we expected the daily visit from the punctual inspector,

to try our bars with his iron rod, we hastened to secure our win-

dow, and stuflBng all the fissures with straw and rags, so as almost

to exclude light, we complained bitterly to the official of the cold

wind to which the apertures exposed us, and thus prevented him

from touching the sash. Besides this precaution, we thought it

best to get rid of our tools and cord in the same way we received

them;and thus terminated our project of escape.

Soon after, I heard from a relative in Paris, that my petitiott

had beeji presented to Louis Philippe, whose reception of it en-

couraged a hope for my pardon. The news somewhat restored

us to the good humor that used to prevail in our party, but

which had been sadly dashed since our failure. Even Mon-

sieur Germaine, saw in our anticipated liberation, a phantom of

encouragement for himself, and began to talk confidentially of

his plans. He fancied that I had been gradually schooled into

a tastefor misdemeanor^ so that he favored me with innumerable

anecdotes of swindling, and countless schemes of future robbery.

By making me an incipient accomplice, he thought to secure myaid either for his escape or release.

I will take the liberty to record a single specimen of Gcr-

maine's prolific fancy in regard to the higher grades of elegant

felony, and will leave him to the tender mercy of the French

government, which allows no hail for such chevaliers but chastises

their crime with an iron hand.

"We had scarcely recovered from our trepidation, when the

forger got up one morning, with a radiant face, and whisperedthat the past night was fruitful to his brain, for he had plannedan enterprise which would yield a fortune for any two who were

wise and bold enough to undertake it.

Germaine was a philosophic felon. It was perhaps the trick

of an intellect naturally astute, and of a spirit originally refined,

to reject the vulgar baseness of common pilfering. Germaine

never stole or defrauded;

—he only outwitted and outgeneralled.

If he spoke of the world, either in polities or trade, he insisted

S12 CAPTAIN canot; or,

that shams, forgeries, and counterfeits were quite as much played

off in the language, address and dealings of statesmen, merchants,

parsons, doctors, and lawyers, as they were by himself and his

accomplices. The only difference between the felon and the

jury, he alleged, existed in the fact that the jury was in the

majority and the felon in the vocative. He advocated the worst

forms of liberty and equality ;he was decidedly in favor of a

division of property, which he was sure would end what the law

called crime, because all would be supplied on the basis of a

common balance. Whenever he told his ancient exploits or sug-

gested new ones, he glossed them invariably with a rhetorical

varnish about the laws of nature, social contracts, human rights,

ineum and tuum ; and concluded, to his perfect satisfaction,

with a favorite axiom, that " he had quite as much right to the

world's goods as they who possessed them."

A hypocritical farrago of this character always prefaced on'

of Germaiue's tales, so that I hardly ever interrupted the rogue

when he became fluent about social theories, but waited pa-

tiently, in confidence that I was shortly to be entertained with

an adventure or enterprise.

The forger began his story on this occasion with a most fan-

tastical and exaggerated account of the celebrated Santisuma

Casa of Loretto, which he imagined was still endowed with all

the treasures it possessed anterior to its losses during the pontifi-

cate of Pius VI. He asserted that it was the richest tabernacle

in Europe, and that the adornments of the altar were valued at

several millions of crowns,—the votive offerings and legacies of

devotees during a long period of time.

This holy and opulent shrine, the professor of politico-econo-

mieo-equality proposed to rob at some convenient period ; and,

to effect it, he had "polished" the following plan during the

watches of the night.

On some stormy day of winter, he proposed to leave Ancona,as a traveller from South America, and approaching the convent

attached to the church of the Madonna of Loretto, demand hos-

pitality for a penitent who had made the tiresome pilgrimage on

a vow to the Virgin. There could be no doubs ff his admisBion,


For three days he would most devoutly attend matins and ves-

pers, and crave permission to serve as an acolyte at the altar, the

duties of which he perfectly understood. When the period of

his departure arrived, he would be seized with sudden illness,

and, in all likelihood, the brethren would lodge him in their in-

firmary. As his malady increased, he would call a confessor,

and, pouring into the father's credulous ear a tale of woes, sor-

rows, superstition and humbug, he would make the convent a

donation of all his estates in South America^ and pray for a

remission of his sins !

When this comedy was over, convalescence should supervene;but he would adhere with conscientious obstinacy to his dying

gift, and produce documents showing the immense value of the

bequeathed property. Presently, he would be suddenly smitten

with a love for monastic life; and, on his knees, the Prior was to

be interceded for admission to the brotherhood. All this, pro-

bably, would require time, as well as playacting of the adroitest

character; yet he felt confident he could perform the drama.

At last, when a vow had sealed his novitiate, no one of

the fraternity should exceed him in fervent piety and bodilymortification. Every hour would find him at the altar before

the Virgin, missal in hand, and eyes intent on the glittering

image. This incessant and unwatched devotion, he calculated,would enable him in two months to take an impression of all the

locks in the sacristy ; and, as his confederate would call every

market-day at the convent gate, in the guise of a pedler, he could

easily cause the keys to be fabricated in difi"erent villages bycommon locksmiths,

Germaine considered it indispensable that his colleague in

this enterprise should be a sailor ; for the flight with booty wasto be made over sea from Ancona. As soon, therefore, as the

keys were perfected, and in the hands of the impostor, the

mariner was to cause a felucca to cruise off shore, in readiness

for immediate departure. Then, at a fixed time, the pedlershould lurk near the convent, with a couple of mules

; and, in

the dead of night, the sacrilege would be accomplished.14


When he finished his story, the pleasant villain rubbed his

hands with glee, and skipping about the floor like a dancing-

master, began to whistle " La Marseillaise.'''' That night, he

retired earlier than usual," to polish," as he said

;but before

dawn he again aroused me, with a pull, and whispered a sudden

fear that his " Loretto masterpiece" would prove an abortion !

" I have considered," said he," that the Virgin's jewels are

probably nothing but false stones and waxen pearls in pinchbeck

gold ! Surely, those cunning monks would nrver leave such an

amount of property idle, simply to adorn a picture or statue !

No, I am positive they must have sold the gems, substituted

imitations, and bought property for their opulent convents !

"—As I felt convinced of this fact, and had some inkling of a recol-

lection about losses during a former reign, I was happy to hear

that the swindler's fancy had "polished" the crime to absolute

annihilation.

And now that I am about to leave this forging philosopher

in prison, to mature, doubtless, some greater act of villany, I

will merely add, that when I departed, he was constructing a

new scheme, in which the Emperor of Russia was to be vic-

tim and paymaster. As my liberation occurred before the

finishing touches were given by the artist, I am unable to say

how it fared with Nicholas;but I doubt, exceedingly, whether

the galleys of Brest contained a greater scoundrel, both in deeds

and imaginings, than the metaphysical dandy—Monsieur Ger-

maine.*

At length, my pardon and freedom came;but this was the

sole reparation I received at the hands of Louis Philippe, for

the unjust seizure and appropriation of my vessel in the neutral

waters of Africa. When Sorret rushed in, followed by his wife,

Babette, and the children, to announce the glorious news, the

' I know not what was his fate ;but he has probably long since real-

ized his dream of equality, though, in all likelihood, it was the equality

described by old Patris of Caen :

Ici tous sent egaux ; je ne te dois plus rien:

Je Buis sur mon fumier comme toi sur le tien I

"


good fellow's emotion was so great, that be stood staring at inc

like a booby, and for a long while could not articulate. Then

came La Vivandiore Dolores, and my pretty Concha. Next

arrived Monsieur Randanne, with the rest of my pupils ;so that,

in an hour, I was overwhelmed with sunshine and tears. I can

still feel the grasp of Sorret's hand, as he led me beyond the

bolts and bars, to read the act of royal grace. May we not feel

a spasm of regret at leaving even a prison ?

Next day, an affectionate crowd of friends and pupils followed

the emancipated slaver to a vessel, which, by order of the king,

was to bear me, a willing exile, from France for ever.


CHAPTER L.

I said, at the end of the last chapter, that my friends bade adieu

on the quay of Brest to an "emancipated slaver ;" for slaver I

was determined to continue, notwithstanding the capture of myvessel, and the tedious incarceration of my body. Had the seizure

and sentence been justly inflicted for a violation of local or inter-

national law, I might, perhaps, have become penitent for early

sins, daring the long hours of reflection afi"orded me in the cha-

teau. But, with all the fervor of an ardent and thwarted nature,

I was much more disposed to rebel and revenge myself when

opportunity occurred, than to confess my sins with a lowly and

obedient heart. Indeed, most of my time in prison had been

spent in cursing the court and king, or in reflecting how I should

get back to Africa in the speediest manner, i/ I was ever lucky

enough to elude the grasp of the model monarch.

The vessel that bore me into perpetual banishment from

France, was bound to Lisbon; but, delaying in Portugal only

long enough to procure a new passport, under an assumed name,

I spat upon Louis Philippe's" eternal exile," and took shipping

for his loyal port of Marseilles ! Here I found two vessels fit-

ting for the coast of Africa; but, in consequence of the frightful

prevalence of cholera, all mercantile adventures were temporarily

suspended. In fact, such was the panic, that no one dreamed

of despatching the vessel in which I was promised a passage,

until the pestilence subsided. Till this occurred, as my means


were of the scantiest character, I took lodgings in an humhlehotel.

The dreadful malady was then apparently at its height, and

nearly all the hotels were deserted, for most of the regular in-

habitants had fled;while the city was unfrequented by strangers

except under pressing duty. It is altogether probable that the

lodging-houses and hotels would have been closed entirely, so

slight was their patronage, had not the prefect issued an order,

depriving of their licenses, for the space of two years, all who shut

their doors on strangers. Accordingly, even when the scourge

swept many hundred victims daily to their graves, every hotel,

cafife, grocery, butcher shop, and bakery, was regularly opened in

Marseilles;so that a dread of famine was not added to the fear

of cholera.

Of course, the lowly establishment where I dwelt was not

thronged at this epoch ;most of its inmates or frequenters had

departed for the country before my arrival, and I found the

house tenanted alone by three boarders and a surly landlord, whocursed the authorities for their compulsory edict. My reception,

therefore, was by no means cordial. I was told that the procla-mation had not prevented the cook from departing ;

and that I

must be content with whatever the master of the house could toss

up for my fare.

A sailor—especially one fresh from the chateau of Brest,—is

not apt to be over nice in the article of cookery, and I readily

accompanied my knight of the rueful countenance to his table

dilute, which I found to be a long oval board, three fourths bare

of cloth and guests, while five human visages clustered around

its end.

I took my seat opposite a trim dashing brunette, with the

brightest eyes and rosiest checks imaginable. Her face was so

healthily refreshing in the midst of malady and death, that I

altogether forgot the cholera under the charm of her ardent gaze.Next me §at a comical sort of fellow, who did not delay in scrap-

ing an acquaintance, and jocularly insisted on introducing all the

company."It's a case of emergency," said the droll,

" we have no time

318 CAPTAIN CANOT; OR'J

to lose or to stand on the ceremony of fashionable etiquette

Here to-day, gone to-morrow—is the motto of Marseilles ! Hola !

Messieurs, shall we not make the most of new acquaintances

when they may be so brief? "

I thanked him for his hospitality. I had so little to lose in

this world, either of property or friends, that I feared the cholera

quite as slightly as any of the company." A thousand thanks,"

said I,"Monsieur, for your politeness ;

I'll bury you to-morrow,

if it is the cholera's pleasure, with ten times Jiore pleasure now

that I have had the honor of an introduction. A fashionable

man hardly cares to be civil to a stranger—even if he happens to

be a corpse !

"

There was so hearty a cheer at this sally, that, in spite of the

shallow soundings of my purse, I called for a fresh bottle, and

pledged the party in a bumper all round.'' And now," continued my neighbor,

" as it may be necessaryfor some one of us to write your epitaph in a day or two, or, at

least, to send a message of condolence and sympathy to yourfriends

; pray let us know a bit of your history, and what the devil

brings you to Marseilles when the cholera thermometer is up to

1000 degrees per diem ?"

Very few words were necessary to impart such a name and

tale as I chose to invent for the company's edification." Santi-

ago Ximenes," and my tawny skin betokened my nationality and

profession, while my threadbare garments spoke louder than

words that I was at suit with Fortune.

Presently, after a lull in the chat, a dapper little prig of a

dandy, who sat on my left, volunteered to inform me that he was no

less a personage than le Doctetir Du Jean, a medical practitionerfresh from Metropolitan hospitals, who, in a spirit of the loftiest

philanthropy, visited this provincial town at his own expense to

succor the poor." Cest une belle dame, notre vis d vis, n'est elle pas mon

cher .^" said he pointing to our patron saint opposite.

I admitted without argument that she was the most charm-

ing woman I ever saw out of Cuba." Cest ma chere amie,''^ whispered he confidentially in my


car, strongly emphasizing the word " friend " and nodding very

knowingly towards the lady herself." At the present moment

the dear little creature is exclusively under my charge and protec-

tion, for she is en route to join her husband, a captain in the armyat Algiers ; but, alas ! grace a Dieu, there's no chance of a trans-

port so long as this cursed pestilence blockades Marseilles !

Do you know the man on your right ?—No ! Bien ! that's

the celebrated S,the oratorical advocate about whom the

papers rang when Louis Philippe began his assault on the press.

He's on his way to Algiers too, and will be more successful in

liberalizing the Arabs than the French. That old chap over

yonder with the snufiy nose, the snuffy wig, and snuffy coat, is a

grand speculator in horses, on his way to the richest cavalry corpsof the army ; and, as for our mciitrc dliotel at the head of this

segment, pauvre diablc, you see what he is without a revelation.

The pestilence has nearly used him up. He sits half the day in

his bureau on the stairs looking for guests who never come, readingthe record which adds no name, cursing the cholera, counting a

penitential ave SiXiApater on his rosary, and flying from the despairof silence and desertion to his pans to stew our wretched fare.

Vaila mon oher, la carte de la table ! le Cholera et ses Convives !

If there is a creature I detest in the world it is a flippant,

intrusive, voluntary youth who thrusts his eoversation and affairs

upon strangers, and makes bold to monopolize their time with his

unasked confidence. Such persons are always silly and vulgar

pretenders ;and before Doctor Du Jean got through his descrip-

tion of the lady, I had already classified him among my particular

aversions.

When the doctor nodded so patronizingly to the dame, and

spoke of his friendly protectorate, I thought I saw that the

quick-witted woman not only comprehended his intimation, but

denied it by the sudden glance she gave me from beneath her

thin and arching eyebrows. So, when dinner was over, witliout

saying a word to the doctor, I made a slight inclination of the

head to Madame Duprcz, and rising before the other guests,

passed to her side and tendered my arm for a promenade on the

balcony.


" Mon docteur^^ said I as we left the room,"

life, you know,is too short and precarious to suffer a monoply of such blessings,"—

looking intently into the lady's eyes,—" besides which, we

sailors, in defiance of you landsmen, go in for the most '

perfect

freedom of the seas.'"

Madame Duprez declared I was entirely right : that I was no

pirate.—"

Mais, mon capitaine," said the fair one, as she leaned

with a fond pressure on my arm," I'd have no objection if you were,

so that you'd capture me from that frightful gallipot ! Besides, yousailors are always so gallant towards the ladies, and tell us such

delightful stories, and bring us such charming presents when youcome home, and love us so much while you're in port, because

you see so few when you are away ! Now is'nt that a delightful

catalogue raisonne of arguments why women should love les

nidtelots ?"

"Pity then, madame," said I,

" that you married a soldier^" Ah !

" returned the ready dame," J didn't

;

—that was mymother's match. In France, you know, the old folks marry us

;

but we take the liberty to love whomsoever we pleasfe !

"

"But, what of Monsieur le capitaine^ in the present in-

stance ?"

interrupted I inquiringly." Ah ! fi done !

" said Madame," what bad taste to speak of

an absent husband when you have the liberty to talk with a

prese7it wife !

"

In fact, the lovely Helen of this tavern-Troy was the

dearest of coquettes, whose fence of tongue was as beautiful a

game of thrust and parry as I ever saw played with Parisian foils.

Du Jean had been horribly mortified by the contemptuous manner

in which the threadbare Spaniard bore off his imaginary prize ;

and would probably have assailed me on the spot, before he knew

my temper or quality, had not the lawyer drawn him aside on a

plea of medical advice and given his inflamed honor time to cool.

But the wit of Madame Duprez was not so satisfied by a

single specimen of our mutual folly, as to allow the surgeon tc

resume the undisputed post of cavaliere serviente which he oc-

cupied before my arrival. It was her delight to see us at logger-

heads for her favor, and though we were both aware of her arrant


coquetry, neither had moral courage enough, in that dismal time,

. .1 delist from oirering the most servile courtesies. We mined

iud counter-mined, marched and counter-marched, deceived and

re-deceived, for several days, without material advantage to either,

till, at last, the afifair ended in a battle.

The prefecture's bulletin announced at dinner-time twelvo

hundred deaths ! but, in spite of the horror, or perhaps to drown

its memory, our undiminished party called for several more bot-

tles, and became uproariously gay.

The conversation took a physiological turn;and gradually

the modern science of phrenology, which was just then becoming

fashionable, came on the carpet. Doctor Du Jean professed

familiarity with its mysteries. Spurzheim, he said, had been his

professor in Paris. He could read our characters on our skulls

as if they were written in a book. Powers, passions, propensi-

ties, and even thoughts, could not be hidden from him;

—and,

" who dared try his skill ?"

" Cest moi !"

said Madame Duprcz, as she drew her chair

to the centre of the room, and accepting the challenge, cast loose

her beautiful hair, which fell in a raven torrent over snowy neck

and shoulders, heightening tenfold every charm of face and

figure.

Du Jean was nothing loth to commence his tender manipula-tion of the charming head, whose wicked mouth and teasing eyes

shot glances of defiance at me. Several organs were disclosed

and explained to the company ;but then came others which he

ventured to whisper in her ears alone, and, as he did so, I noticed

that his mouth was pressed rather deeper than I thought needful

umong the folds of her heavy locks. I took the liberty to hint

rather jestingly that the doctor " cut quite too deep with his

lips ;

"but the coquette at once saw my annoyance, and persisted

with malicious delight in making Du Jean whisper—heaven

knows what—in her ear. In fact, she insisted that some of the

organs should be repeated to her three or four times over, while,at each rehearsal, the doctor grew bolder in his dives among the

curls, and the lady louder and redder in her merriment.

At last, propriety required that the scene should be closed,14*

322 CAPTAIN CANOTj OH,

and no one knew better than this arch coquette the precise limit

of decency's bounds. Next came the lawyer''s cranium; then

followed the horse-jockey and tavern-keeper ;and finally, it was

my turn to take the stool.

I made every objection I could think of against submitting

to inspection, for I was sure the surgeon had wit enough not to

lose so good a chance of quizzing or ridiculing me ;but a whis-

pered word from Madame forced an assent, with the stipulation

that Du Jean should allow me to examine his skull afterwards,

pretending that if he had studied with Spurzheim, I had learned

the science from Gall.

The doctor accepted the terms and began his lecture. First

of all my Jealousy was enormous, and only equalled by my Con-

ceit and Envy. I was altogether destitute of Love, Friendship,

or the Moral sentiments. I was an immoderate wine-bibber;

extremely avaricious; passionate, revengeful, and blood-thirsty ;

in fine, I was a monstrous conglomerate of every thing devilish

and dreadful. The first two or three essays of the doctor amused

the company and brought down a round of laughter ;but as he

grew coarser and coai'ser, I saw the increasing disgust of our

comrades by their silence, though I preserved my temper most

admirably till he was done. Then I rose slowly from the seat,

and pointing the doctor silently to the vacant chair,—for I could

not speak with rage,—I took my stand immediately in front of

him, gazing intently into his eyes. The company gathered

eagerly round, expecting I would retaliate wittily, or pay him

back in his coin of abuse.

After a minute's pause I regained my power of speech, and

inquired whether the phrenologist was ready. He replied affirm-

atively ; whereupon my right hand discovered the bump of im-

pudence with a tremendous slap on his left cheek, while my left

hand detected the organ of blackguardism with equal prominenceon his right !

It was natural that this new mode of scientific investigationwas as novel and surprising as it was disagreeable to poor DuJean

; for, in an instant, we were exchanging blows with intense

eeal, and would probably have borrowed a couple of graves from


the cholera, had not the boarders interfered. All hands, how-

ever, were unanimous in my favor, asserting that Du Jean had

provoked me beyond endurance; and, as la belle Duprez joined

heartily in the verdict, the doctor gave up the contest, and, ever

after," cut

"the lady.

324 CAPTAIN CAÔT;OR,

CHAPTER LI.

In the first lull of the pestilence, the French merchantman was

despatched from Marseilles, and, in twenty-seven days, I had the

pleasure to shake hands with the generous friends, who, two

years before, labored so hard for my escape. The colonial gov-

ernment soon got wind of my presence notwithstanding my dis-

guise, and warning me from Goree, cut short the joys of an

African welcome.

I reached Sierra Leone in time to witness the arbitrary pro-

ceeding of the British government towards Spanish traders and

coasters, by virtue of the treaty for the suppression of the slave

trade. Six months after this compact was signed and ratified in

London and Madrid, it was made known with the proverbial des-

patch of Spain, in the Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. Its stipu-

lations were such as to allow very considerable latitude of judg-

ment in captures ;and when prizes were once within the grasp

of the British lion, that amiable animal was neither prompt to re-

lease nor anxious to acquit. Accordingly, when I reached Sierra

Leone, I beheld at anchor under government guns, some thirty

or forty vessels seized by cruisers, several of which I have reason

to believe were captured in the " Middle Passage," bound from

Havana to Spain, but entirely free from the taint or design of

elavery.


I was not so inquisitive or patriotic in regard to treaty rights

nnd violations, as to dally from mere curiosity in Sierra Leone.

My chief object was employment. At twenty-eight, after trials,

hazards, and chances enough to have won half a dozen fortunes,

I was utterly penniless. The Mongo of Kanibia,—the Mahometan

convert of Ahmahde-Bellah,—the pet of the Ali-mami of Footha

Yallon,—the leader of slave caravans,—the owner of barracoons,—and the bold master of clippers that defied the British flag,

was reduced to the humble situation of coast-pilot and interpre-

ter on board an American brig bound to the celebrated slave

mart of Gallinas ! We reached our destination safely ;but I

doubt exceedingly whether the "Reaper's

"captain knows to this

day that his brig was guided by a marine adventurer, who knew

nothing of the coast or port save the little he gleaned in half a

dozen chats with a Spaniard, who was familiar with this noto-

rious resort and its surroundings.

In the history of African servitude, no theatre of Spanish,

Portuguese, British, or American action has been the scene of

more touching, tragic, and j)rojitahle incidents than the one to

which fortune had now directed my feet.

Before the generous heart and far-seeing mind of America

perceived in Colonization the true secret of Africa's hope, the

whole of its coast, from the Rio Gambia to Cape Palmas, with-

out a break except at Sierra Leone, was the secure haunt of dar-

ing slavers. The first impression on this lawless disposal of full

fifteen hundred miles of beach and continent, was made by the

bold establishment of Liberia; and, little by little has its power

extended, until treaty, purchase, negotiation, and influence, drove

the trade from the entire region. After the firm establishment

of this colony, the slave trade on the windward coast, north and

west of Cape Palmas, was mainly confined to Portuguese settle-

ments at Bissaos, on the Rios Grande, Nunez, and Pongo, at

Grand and Little Bassa, New Sestros and Trade-town;but the

lordly establishment at Gallinas was the heart of the slave marts,

to which, in fact, Cape Mesurado was only second in impor-

tance.

Our concern is now with Gallinas. Nearly one hundred


miles northwest of Monrovia, a short and sluggish river, bearingthis well-knovrn name, oozes lazily into the Atlantic

; and, carry-

ing down in the rainy season a rich alluvion from the interior,

sinks the deposit where the tide meets the Atlantic, and forms

an interminable mesh of spongy islands. To one who approaches

from sea, they loom up from its surface, covered with reeds and

mangroves, like an immense field of fungi^ betokening the dampand dismal field which death and slavery have selected for their

grand metropolis. A spot like this, possessed, of course, no pe-

culiar advantages for agriculture or commerce;but its dangerous

bar, and its extreme desolation, fitted it for the haunt of the out-

law and slaver.

Such, in all likelihood, were the reason's that induced Don

Pedro Blanco, a well-educated mariner from Malaga, to select

Gallinas as the field of his operations. Don Pedro visited this

place originally in command of a slaver;but failing to complete

his cargo, sent his vessel back with one hundred negroes, whose

value was barely sufficient to pay the mates and crew. Blanco,

however, remained on the coast with a portion of the Conquista-

dor's cargo, and, on its basis, began a trade with the natives and

slaver-captains, till, four years after, he remitted his owners the

product of their merchandise, and began to flourish on his own

account. The honest return of an investment long given over as

lost, was perhaps the most active stimulant of his success, and

for many years he monopolized the traffic of the Vey country,

reaping enormous profits from his enterprise.

Gallinas was not in its prime when I came thither, yet enough

of its ancient power and influence remained to show the compre-

hensive mind of Pedro Blanco. As I entered the river, and

wound along through the labyrinth of islands, I was struck, first

of all, with the vigilance that made this Spaniard stud the field

with lookout seats, protected from sun and rain, erected some

seventy-five or hundred feet above the ground, either on poles or

on isolated trees, from which the horizon was constantly swept

by telescopes, to announce the approach of cruisers or slavers.

These telegraphic operators were the keenest men on the islands,

who were never at fault, in discriminating between friend and foe.


About a mile from the river's mouth we found a group of islets,

on each of which was erected the factory of some particular slave-

merchant belonging to the grand confederacy. Blanco's estab-

lishments were on several of these marshy flats. On one, near

the mouth, he had his place of business or trade with foreign ves-

sels, presided over by his principal clerk, an astute and clever

gentleman. On another island, more remote, was his residence,

where the only white person was a sister, who, for a while, shared

with Don Pedro his solitary and penitential domain. Here this

man of education and refined address surrounded himself with

every luxury that could be purchased in Europe or the Indies,

and dwelt in a sort of oriental but semi-barbarous splendor, that

suited an African prince rather than a Spanish grandee. Fur-

ther inland was another islet, devoted to his seraglio, within

whose recesses each of his favorites inhabited her separate estab-

lishment, after the fashion of the natives. Independent of all

these were other islands, devoted to the barracoons or slave-pri-

sons, ten or twelve of which contained from one hundred to five

hundred slaves in each. These barracoons were made of roughstaves or poles of the hardest trees, four or six inches in diame-

ter, driven five feet in the ground, and clamped together bydouble rows of iron bars. Their roofs were constructed of simi-

lar wood, strongly secured, and overlaid with a thick thatch of

long and wiry grass, rendering the interior both dry and cool.

At the ends, watch-houses—built near the entrance—were ten-

anted by sentinels, with loaded muskets. Each barracoon was

tended by two or four Spaniards or Portuguese ;but I have

rarely met a more wretched class of human beings, upon whomfever and dropsy seemed to have emptied their vials.

Such were the surroundings of Don Pedro in 1836, when I

first saw his slender figure, swarthy face, and received the graceful

welcome, which I hardly expected from one who had passed fif-

teen years without crossing the bar of Gallinas ! Three years

after this interview, he left the coast for ever, with a fortune of

near a million. For a while, he dwelt in Havana, engaged in

commerce;but I understood that family difiicultics induced him

to retire altogether from trade;so that, if still alive, he is prob

328 CAPTAIN CANOT) OR,

ably a resident of " Genova la Superba," whither he went from

the island of Cuba.

The power of this man among the natives is well known;

it

far exceeded that of Cha-cha, of whom I have already spoken

Resolved as he was to be successful in traffic, he left no means

untried, with blacks as well as whites, to secure prosperity. I

have often been asked what was the character of a mind which

could voluntarily isolate itself for near a lifetime amid the pesti-

lential swamps of a burning climate, traffick'ng in human flesh,

exciting .wars, bribing and corrupting ignorant negroes ; totally

without society, amusement, excitement, or change ; living, from

year to year, the same dull round of seasons and faces;without

companionship, save that of men at war with law : cut loose from

all ties except those which avarice formed among European out-

casts who were willing to become satellites to such a luminaryas Don Pedro ? I have always replied to the question, that this

African enigma puzzled Qne as well as those orderly and syste-

matic persons, who would naturally be more shocked at the

tastes and prolonged career of a resident slave-factor in the

marshes of Gallinas.

I heard many tales on the coast of Blanco's cruelty, but I

doubt them quite as much as I do the stories of his pride and

arrogance. I have heard it said that he shot a sailor for daring

to ask him for permission to light his cigar at the puro of the

Don. Upon another occasion, it is said that he was travelling

the beach some distance from Gallinas, near the island of Sher-

bro. where he was unknown, when he approached a native hut for

rest and refreshment. The owner was squatted at the door, and,

on being requested by Don Pedro to hand him fi^re to light his

cigar, deliberately refused. In an instant Blanco drew back,

seized a carabine from one of his attendants, and slew the negro

on the spot. It is true that the narrator apologized for Don

Pedro, by saying, that to deny a Castilian^re/o;* his tobacco was

the gravest insult that can be offered him; yet, from my know-

ledge of the person in question, I cannot believe that he carried

etiquette to so frightful a pitch, even among a class whose lives

are considered of trifling value except in market. On several

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 3'3^

occasions, during our subsequent intimacy, I knew him to chas-

tise with rods, even to the brink of death, servants who ventured

to infringe the sacred limits of his seraglio. But, on the other

hand, his generosity was proverbially ostentatious, not only

among the natives, whom it was his interest to suborn, but

to the whites who were in his employ, or needed his kindlysuccor. I have already alluded to his mental culture, which was

decidedly soigne for a Spaniard of his original grade and time.

His memory was remarkable. I remember one night, while sev-

eral of his employes were striving unsuccessfully to repeat the

Lord's prayer in Latin, upon which they had made a bet, that

Don Pedro joined the party, and taking up the wager, went

through the petition without faltering. It was, indeed, a sad

parody on prayer to hear its blessed accents fall perfectly from

such lips on a bet;but when it was won, the slaver insisted on

receiving tlie slave ivhich was the stake, and immediatelji be-

stowed him in charity on a captain, who had fallen into the

clutches of a British cruiser '

Such is a rude sketch of the great man-merchant of Africa,

the Kothschild of slavery, whose bills on England, France, or the

United States, were as good as gold in Sierra Leone and Mon-

rovia I

330 CAPTAIN CANOTJ OR,

CHAPTER LII.

The day after our arrival -within the realm of this great spider,—

who, throned in the centre of his mesh, was able to catch almost

every fly that flew athwart the web,—I landed at one of the

minor factories, and sold a thousand quarter kegs of powder to

Don Jose Ramon. But, next day, when I proceeded in my ca-

pacity of interpreter to the establishment of Don Pedro, I found

his Castilian plumage ruffled, and, though we were received with

formal politeness, he declined to purchase, because we had failed

to address him in advance of any other factor on the river.

The folks at Sierra Leone dwelt so tenderly on the generousside of Blanco's character, that I was still not without hope that

I might induce him to purchase a good deal of our rum and

tobacco, which would be drugs on our hands unless he consented

to relieve us. I did not think it altogether wrong, therefore, to

concoct a little ruse whereby I hoped to touch the pocket throughthe breast of the Don. In fact, I addressed him a note, in which

I truly related my recent mishaps, adventures, and impi'ison-

ments;but I- concluded the narrative with a hope that he would

succor one so destitute and unhappy, by allowing him to win an

honest commission allowed by the American captain on any sales

I could efi"ect. The bait took;a prompt, laconic answer re-


turned;I was bidden to come ashore with the invoice of our

cargo ; and,/o/- my sake^ Don Pedro purchased from the Yankee

brig $5000 worth of rum and tobacco, all of which was paid bydrafts on London, of 2vhich slaves were, of course, the original

basis ! My imaginary commissions, however, remained in the

purse of the owners.

An accident occurred in landing our merchandise, which will

serve to illustrate the character of Blanco. While the hogs-

heads of tobacco were discharging, our second mate, who suffered

from strabis)7i2is more painfully than almost any cross-eyed manI ever saw, became excessively provoked with one of the native

boatmen who had been employed in the service. It is probable

that the negro was insolent, which the mate thought proper to

chastise by throwing staves at the Krooman's head. The negro

fled, seeking refuge on the other side of his canoe;but the en-

raged officer continued the pursuit, and, in his double-sighted

blundering, ran against an oar which the persecuted black sud-

denly lifted in self-defence. I know not whether it was rage or

blindness, or both combined, that prevented the American from

seeing the blade, but on he dashed, rushing impetuously against

the implement, severing his lip with a frightful gash, and knock-

ing four teeth from his upper jaw.

Of course, the luckless negro instantly fled to " the bush;

"

and, that night, in the agony of delirium, caused by fever and

dreaded deformity, the mate terminated his existence by lauda-

num.

The African law condemns the man who draws blood to a,

severe fine in slaves, proportioned to the harm that may have

been inflicted. Accordingly, the culprit Krooman, innocent as

he was of premeditated evil, now lay heavily loaded with irons in

Don Pedro's barracoon, awaiting the sentence which the whites

in his service already declared should be death. " lie struck a

white !

"they said, and the wound he inflicted was reported to

have caused that white man's ruin. But, luckil}', before the sen-

tence was executed, / came ashore, and, as the transaction oc-

curred in my presence, I ventui'cd to appeal from the verdict of

public opinion to Don Pedro, with the hope that I might excul-


pate the Krooman. Mj simple and truthful story was sufficient.

An order was instantly given for the black's release, and, in

spite of native chiefs and grumbling whites, who were savagely

greedy for the fellow's blood, Don Pedro persisted in his judgment and sent him back on board the "

Reaper."The character manifested by Blanco on this occasion, and

the admirable management of his factory, induced me to seize a

favorable moment to offer my services to the mighty trader.

They were promptly accepted, and iu a short time I was em-

ployed as principal in one of Don Pedro's branches.

The Vey natives on this river and its neighborhood were not

numerous before the establishment of Spanish factories, but since

1813, the epoch of the arrival of several Cuban vessels with rich

merchandise, the neighboring tribes flocked to the swampy flats,

and as there was much similarity in the language and habits of

the natives and emigrants, they soon intermarried and mingled in

ownership of the soil.

In proportion as these upstarts were educated in slave-trade

under the influence of opulent factors, they greedily acquired the

habit of hunting their own kind and abandoned all other occupa-

tions but war and kidnapping. As the country was prolific and

the trade profitable, the thousands and tens of thousands annu-

ally sent abroad from Gallinas, soon began to exhaust the neigh-

borhood;but the appetite for plunder was neither satiated nor

stopped by distance, when it became necessary for the neighbor-

ing natives to extend their forays and hunts far into the interior.

In a few years war raged wherever the influence of this river ex-

tended. The slave factories supplied the huntsmen with powder,

weapons, and enticing merchandise, so that they fearlessly ad-

vanced against ignorant multitudes, who, too silly to compre-hend the benefit of alliance, fought the aggressors singly, and,

of course, became their prey.

Still, however, the demand increased. Don Pedro and h\a

satellites had struck a vein richer than the gold coast. His

flush barracoons became proverbial throughout the Spanish and

Portuguese colonies, and his look-outs were ceaseless in their

Bignals of approaching vessels. New factories were established,


as branches, north and south of the parent den. ManaRock,

Shcrboro, Sugarci, Cape Mount, Little Cape Mount, and even

Digbay, at the door of Monrovia, all had depots and barracoons

of slaves belonging to the whites of Galliuas.

But this prosperity did not endure. The torch of discord, in

a civil war which was designed for revengeful murder rather tlian

slavery, was kindled by a black Paris, who had deprived his un-

cle of an Ethiopian Helen. Every bush and hamlet contained

its Achilles and Ulysses, and every town rose to the dignity of

a Troy.

The geographical configuration of the country, as 1 have de-

scribed it, isolated almost ever}- family of note on various branches

of the river, so that nearly all were enabled to fortify themselves

within their islands or marshy flats. The principal parties in this

family feud were the Amarars and Shiakars. Amarar was a

native of Shebar, and, through several generations, had Man-

dingo blood in his veins;

—Shiakar, born on the river, consider-

ed himself a noble of the land, and being aggressor in this con-

flict, disputed his prize with the wildest ferocity of a savage.

The whites, who are ever on the watch for native quarrels,

wisely refrained from partisanship with either of the com-

batants, but continued to purchase the prisoners broughtto their factories by both parties. Many a vessel bore across the

Atlantic two inveterate enemies shackled to the same bolt, while

others met on the same deck a long-lost child or brother who

had been captured in the civil war.

I might fill a volume with the narrative of this horrid con-

flict before it was terminated by the death of Amarar. For se-

veral months this savage had been blockaded in his stockade byShiakar's warriors. At length a sortie became indispensable to

obtain provisions, but the enemy were too numerous to justify

the risk. Upon this, Amarar called his soothsayer, and requiredhim to name a propitious moment for the sally. The oraclo

retired to his den, and, after suitable incantations, declared that

the effort should be made as soon as the hands of Amarar were

stained in the blood of his own son. It is said that the prophet in-

tended the victim to be a youthful son of Amarar, who had join-


ed his mother's family, and was then distant;but the impatient

and superstitious savage, seeing a child of his own, two years

old, at hand, when the oracle announced the decree, snatched the

infant from his mother's arms, threw it into a rice mortar, and,

with a pestle, mashed it to death !

The sacrifice over, a sortie was ordered. The infuriate and

starving savages, roused by the oracle and inflamed by the

bloody scene, rushed forth tumultuously. Amarar, armed with

the pestle, still warm and reeking with his infant's blood, was

foremost in the onset. The besiegers gave way and fled;the

town was re-provisioned ;the fortifications of the enemy demol-

ished, and the soothsayer rewarded with a slave for his barbarous

prediction !

At another time, Amarar was on the point of attacking a

strongly fortified town, when doubts were intimated of suc-

cess. Again the wizard was consulted, when the mysterious oracle

declared that the chief " could not conquer till he returned once

more to his molher''s womb!'''' That night Amarar committed

the blackest of incests;but his party was repulsed, and the false

prophet stoned to death !

These are faint incidents of a savage drama which lasted se-

veral years, until Amarar, in his native town, became the prisoner

of Shiakar's soldiery. Mana, his captor, caused him to be deca-

pitated ;and while the blood still streamed from the severed

neck, the monster's head was thrust into the fresh-torn bowels

of his mother !

TWENTY IBARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. S35

CHAPTEK LIII

The first expedition upon which Don Pedro Blanco despatchedme revealed a new phase of Africa to my astonished eyes. I wassent in a small Portuguese schooner to Liberia for tobacco

;and

here the trader who had never contemplated the negro on the

shores of his parent country except as a slave or a catcher of

slaves, first beheld the rudiments of an infant state, which in

time may become the wedge of Ethiopian civilization. The com-

fortable government house, neat public warerooms, large emigra-tion home, designed for the accommodation of the houseless

;

clean and spacious streets, with brick stores and dwellings ;the

twin churches with their bells and comfortable surroundings ;the

genial welcome from well dressed negroes ;the regular wharves

and trim craft on the stocks, and last of all, a visit from a colored

collector with a printed bill for twelve dollars " anchor dues,"all convinced me that there was, in truth, something more in these

ebony frames than an article of commerce and labor. I paid the

bill eagerly,—

considering that a document prhitcd in Africa byNegroes, under North American influence, would be a curiosity

among the infidels of Gallinas !

My engagements with Blanco had been made on the basis

of familiarity with the slave-trade in all its branches, but my•independent spirit and impatient temper forbade, from the first,

S36 CAPTAIN CANOT : Oft,

the acceptance of any subordinate position at Gallinas. Accord

ingly, as soon as I returned from the new Bepubiic, Don Pedro

desired me to prepare for the establishment of a branch factory,

under my exclusive control, at New Sestros, an independent

principality in the hands of a Bassa chief.

I lost no time in setting forth on this career of comparative

independence, and landed with the trading cargo provided for

me, at the Kroomen's town, where I thought it best to dwell till

a factory could be built.

An African, as well as a white man, must be drilled into the

traffic. It is one of those things that do not " come by na-'

ture :

"yet its mysteries are acquired, like the mysteries of com-

merce generally, with much more facility by some tribes than others.

I feund this signally illustrated by the prince and people of New

Sestros, and very soon detected their great inferiority to the

Soosoos, Mandingoes, and Veys. For a time their conduct was

so silly, arrogant, and trifling,that I closed my chests and broke

off communication. Besides this, the slaves they offered were

of an inferior character and held at exorbitant prices. Still, as

I was commanded to purchase rapidly, I managed to collect

about seventy-five negroes of medium grades, all of whom I de-

signed sending to Gallinas in the schooner that was tugging at

her anchor off the beach.

At the proper time I sent for the black prince to assist me in

shipping the slaves, and to receive the head money which was

his export duty on my cargo. The answer to my message was an

illustration of the character and insolence of the ragamuffins with

whom I had to deal." The prince," returned my messenger,

" don't like your sauciness, Don Teodore, and won't come tiU

you beg his pardon by a present !"

It is very true that after my visit to their republic, I began

to entertain a greater degree of respect than was my wont, for

black men, yet my contempt for the original, unmodified race was

so great, that when the prince's son, a boy of sixteen, delivered

this reply on behalf of his. father, I did not hesitate to cram it

down his throat by a back-handed blow, which sent the sprig of

royalty bleeding and bowling home.


It may be easily imagined what was the condition of the na-

tive town when the boy got back to the *'

palace," and told his

tale of Spanish boxing. In less than ten minutes, another mes-

senger arrived with an order for my departure from the country'* before next day at noon

;

"—an order which, the envoy declared,

would be enforced by the outraged townsfolk unless I willingly

complied.

Now, I had been too long in Africa to tremble before a

negro prince, and though I really hated the region, I determined

to disobey in order to teach the upstart a lesson of civilized man-

ners. Accordingly, I made suitable preparations for resistance,

and, when my hired servants and barracooniers fled in terror at

the prince's command, I landed some whites from my schooner,

'to aid in protecting our slaves.

By this time, my house had been constructed of the frail bam-

boos and matting which are exclusively used in the buildings of

the Bassa country. I had added a cane verandah or piazza to

mine, and protected it from the pilfering natives, by a high pali-

sade, that effectually excluded all intruders. Within the area of

this inclosure was slung my hammock, and here I ate my meals,

read, wrote, and received " Princes " as well as the mob.

At nightfall, I loaded twenty-five muskets, and placed them

inside my sofa, which was a long trade-chest. I covered the

deal-table with a blanket, beneath whose pendent folds I concealed

a keg of powder with the head out. Hard by, under a broad-

brimmed sombrero, lay a pair of double-barrelled pistols. With

these dispositions of my volcanic armory, I swung myself asleep

in the hammock, Jlnd leaving the three whites to take turns in

watching, never stirred till an hour after sunrise, when I was

roused by the war-drum and bells from the village, announcingthe prince's approach.

In a few minutes my small inclosure of palisades was filled

with armed and gibbering savages, while his majesty, in the red

coat of a British drummer, but without any trowsers, strutted

pompously into my presence. Of course, I assumed an air of

humble civility, and leading the potentate to one end of the guard-

ed piazza, where he was completely isolated from his people, I

15


stationed myself between the table and the somhrero. Some of

the prince's relations attempted to foUow him -within my inclosure,

but, according to established rules, they dared not advance be-

yond an assigned limit.

When the formalities were over, a dead silence prevailed for

some minutes. I looked calmly and firmly into the prince's eyes,

and waited for him to speak. Still he was silent. At last, get-

ting tired of dumb-show, I asked the negro if he had " come to

assist me in shipping my slaves;the cun is getting rather high,"

said I," and we had better begin without delay !

"

*' Did you get my message ?" was his reply,

" and why haven't

you gone ?"

" Of course I received your message," returned I," but as I

came to New Sestros at my leisure, I intend to go away when it*

suits me. Besides this. Prince Freeman, I have no fear that youwill do me the least harm, especially as I shall be before you in

any capers of that sort."

Then, by a sudden jerk, I threw off the blanket that hid the

exposed powder, and, with pistols in hand, one aimed at the kegand the other at the king, I dared him to give an order for myexpulsion.

It is inconceivable how moving this process proved, not only

to Freeman, but to the crowd comprising his body-guard. The

poor blusterer, entirely cut off from his companions^ was in a

laughable panic. His tawny skin became ashen, as he bounded

from his seat and rushed to the extremity of the piazza ; and, to

make a long story short, in a few minutes he was as penitent and

humble as a dog.

I was, of course, not unforgiving, when Freeman advanced to

the rail, and warning the blacks that he had "changed his mind,"

ordered the odorous crowd out of my inclosure. Before the ne*

groes departed, however, I made him swear eternal fidelity and

friendship in their presence, after which I sealed the compact with

a couple of demijohns of New-England rum.

Before sunset, seventy-five slaves were shipped for me in Mb

canoes, and ever after. Prince Freeman was a model monument of

the virtues of gunpowder physic !

TWENTY YEA&S OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 339

CHAPTER LIV,

The summary treatment of tbis ebony potentate convinced tbe

Kroo and Fisbmen of New Sestros that tbey would find my break-

fast parties no child's play. Bold hra vado bad tbe best effect on tbe

adjacent inland as well as tbe immediate coast. The free blacks

not only treated my person and people with more respect, but

began to supply me with better grades of negroes ;so that when

Don Pedro found my success increasing, be not only resolved to

establish a permanent factory, but enlarged my commission to ten

slaves for every hundred I procured. Thereupon, I at once com-

menced the erection of buildings suitable for my personal comfort

and the security of slaves. I selected a pretty site closer to the

beach. A commodious two-story house, surrounded by double

verandahs, was topped by a look-out which commanded an ocean-

view of vast extent, and flanked by houses for all the necessities

of a first-rate factory. There were stores, a private kitchen, a

rice house, houses for domestic servants, a public workshop, a depotfor water, a slave-kitchen, huts for single men, and sheds underwhich gangs were allowed to recreate from time to time during

daylight. The whole was surrounded by a tall hedge-fence, thick-

ly planted, and entered by a double gate, on either side of which

were long and separate Z>arracoo7is for males and females. Theentrance of each slave-pen was commanded by a cannon, while in

t the centre of the square, I left a vacant space, whereon I have

340 CAPTAIN CANOT; OE,

often seen seven hundred slaves, guarded by talf a dozen mus-

keteers, singing, drumming and dancing, after their frugal mcala

It is a pleasant fancy of the natives, who find our surnames

rather difl&cult of pronunciation, while they know very little of

the Christian calendar, to baptize a new comer with some title,

for which, any chattel or merchandise that strikes their fancy, is

apt to stand godfather. My exploit with the prince christened

me " Powder " on the spot ;but when they saw my magnificent

establishment, beheld the wealth of my wareh ..use, and heard the

name of "store," I was forthwith whitewashed into " Storeey

And "Storee,''^ without occupying a legislative scat in Africa,

was destined to efi"ect a rapid change in the motives and pros-

pects of that quarter. In a few months. New Sestros was alive.

The isolated beach, which before my arrival was dotted with half

a dozen Kroo hovels, now counted a couple of flourishing towns,

whose inhabitants were supplied with merchandise and labor in

my factory. The neighboring princes and chiefs, confident of

selling their captives, struggled to the sea-shore through the track-

less forest;and in a very brief period, Prince Freeman, who " no

likee war " over my powder-keg, sent expedition after expedition

against adjacent tribes, to redress imaginary grievances, or to settle

old bills with his great-grandfather's debtors. There was no ab-

solute idea of "extending the area of freedom, or of territorial

annexation," but it was wonderful to behold how keen became the

sovereign's sensibility to national wrongs, and how patriotically

he labored to vindicate his country's rights. It is true, this Afri-

can metamorphosis was not brought about without some sacrifice

of humanity ;still I am confident that during my stay, greater

strides were made towards modern civilization than during the

visit of any other factor. When I landed among the handful of

savages I found them given up to the basest superstition. All

classes of males as well as females, were liable to be accused upon

any pretext by the ju-ju'inen or priests, and the dangerous saucy-

wood potion was invariably administered to test their guilt or in-

nocence. It frequently, happened that accusations of witchcraft

or evil practices were purchased from these wretches in order to

get rid of a sick wife, an imbecile parent, or an opulent relative;


and, as the poisonous draught was mixed and graduated by theju-jwman, it rarely failed to prove fatal when the drinker's death was

necessary.* Ordeals of this character occurred almost daily in the

neighboring country, of course destroying numbers of innocent

victims of cupidity or malice. I very soon observed the frequencyof this abominable crime, and when it was next attempted in the

little settlement that clustered around my factory, I respectfully

requested that the accused might be locked up for safety in mybarracoon, till the fatal liquid was prepared and the hour for its

administration arrived.

It will be readily understood that the saucy-wood beverage,like any other, may be prepared in various degrees of strength, so

that the operator has entire control of its noxious qualities. If

the accused has friends, either to pay or tamper with the medicator,the draft is commonly made weak enough to insure its harmless

rejection from the culprit's stomach; but when the victim is

friendless, time is allowed for the entire venom to exude, and the

drinker dies ere he can drink the second bowl.

Very soon after the ofiFer of my harracoon as a prison for the

accused, a Krooman was brought to it, accused of causing his

nephew's death by fatal incantations. T\\q jvrju had been con-

sulted and confirmed the suspicion ; whereupon the luckless negrowas seized, ironed, and delivered to my custody.

Next day early the Ju-ju-man ground his bark, mixed it with

water, and simmered the potion over a slow fire to extract the

poison's strength. As I had reason to believe that especial en-

mity was entertained against the imprisoned uncle, I called at the

ju-ju's hovel while the medication was proceeding, and, with the

bribe of a bottle, requested him to impart triple power to the

noxious draught. My own juju, I said, had nullified his by

pronouncing the accused innocent, and I was exceedingly anxious

to test the relative truth of our soothsayers.

The rascal promised implicit compliance, and I hastened back*

*Saucy-wood is the reddish bark of the gedu Iroo, which when ground

and mixed with water, makes a poisonous draught, believed to be infalli-

ble in the detection of crime. It is, in fact, "a trial by ordeal;" if the

drinker survives he is innocent, if he perishes, guilty.


to the harracoon to await the fatal hour. Up to the very mO'

Tuent of the draught's administration, I remained alone with the

culpriî, aud administering a double dose of tartar-emetic just

before the gate was opened, I led him forth loaded with irons.

The daring negro, strong in his truth, and confident of the white

man's superior witchcraft, swallowed the draught without a wink,

and in less than a minute, the rejected venom established his in-

nocence, and covered the African wizard with confusion.

This important trial and its results wer'^ of course noised

abroad throughout so superstitious and credulous a community.The released Krooman told his companions of the " white-man-

saucy wood," administered by me in the barracoon ; and, ever

afterwards, the accused were brought to my sanctuary where the

conflicting charm of my emetic soon conquered the native poison

and saved many a useful life. In a short time the malicious

practice was discontinued altogether

During the favorable season, I had been deprived of three

vessels by British cruisers, and, for as many months, had not

sliipped a single slave,—five hundred of whom were now crowded

in my barracoons^ and demanded our utmost vigilance for safe

keeping. In the gang, I found a family consisting of a man, his

wife, three children and a sister, all sold under an express obli-

gation of exile and slavery among Christians. The luckless

father was captured by my blackguard friend Prince Freeman in

person, and the family had been secured when the parents' vil-

lage was subsequently stormed. Barrah was an outlaw and an

especial offender in the eyes of an African, though his faults were

hardly greater than the deeds that bestowed honor and knight-

hood in the palmy days of our ancestral feudalism. Barrah was

the discarded son of a chief in the interior, and had presumed to

blockade the public path towards the beach, and collect duties

from transient passengers or caravans. This interfered with

Freeman and his revenues; but, in addition to the pecuniary

damage, the alleged robber ventured on several occasiona to de-

fWKNTY YEA US OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 343

feat end pluudcr the prince's vagabonds, so that, in time, lie be-

came rich and strong enough to build a town and fortify it with

a regular stockade, directly on the highway ! All these offences

were so heinous in the sight of my beach prince, that no foot was

suffered to cool till Barrah was captured. Once within his

power. Freeman would not have hesitated to kill his implacable

enemy as soon as delivered at New Sestros; but the interference

of friends, and, perhaps, the laudable conviction that a live negro

was worth more than a dead one, induced his highness to sell

him under pledge of Cuban banishment.

Barrah made several ineffectual attempts to break my barra-

coon and elude the watchfulness of my guards, so that they were

frequently obliged to restrict his liberty, deprive him of com-

forts, or add to his shackles. In fact, he was one of the most

formidable savages I ever encountered, even among the thou-

sands who passed in terrible procession before me in Africa.

One day he set fire to the bamboo-matting with which a portion

of the barracoon was sheltered from the sun, for which he was

severely lashed;but nest day, when allowed, under pretence of

ague, to crawl with his heavy irons to the kitchen fire, he sud-

denly dashed a brand into the thatch, and, seizing another, sprang

towards the powder-house, which his heavy shackles did not

allow him to reach before he was felled to the earth.

Freeman visited me soon afterwards, and, in spite of profit

and liquor, insisted on taking the brutal savage back; but, in

the mean time, the Bassa chief, to whom my prince was subordi-

nate, heard of Barrah's attempt on ray magazine, and demanded

the felon to expiate his crime, according to the law of his coun-

try, at the stake. No argument could appease the infuriate

judges, who declared that a cruel death would alone satisfy the

people whose lives had been endangered by the robber. Never-

theless, I declined delivering the victim for such a fate, so that,

in the end, we compromised the sentence by shooting Barrah in

the presence of all the slaves and townsfolk,—the most uncon-

cerned spectators among whom were his wife and sister 1


CHAPTER LV.

There is no river at the New Sestros settlement, though geog-

raphers, with their usual accuracy in African outlines, have often

projected one on charts and maps. Two miles from the short

and perilous beach where I built my barracoons, there was a

slender stream, which, in consequence of its shallow bed, and

narrow, rock-bound entrance, the natives call " Poor River;" but

my factory was at New Sestros proper ; and there, as I have

said, there was no water outlet from the interior;

in fact, tio-

thing but an embayed strand of two hundred yards, flankgd by

dangerous cliffs. Such a beach, open to the broad ocean and for

ever exposed to the full rage of its storms, is of course more or

less dangerous at all times for landing ; and, even when the air

is perfectly calm, the common surf of the sea pours inward with

tremendous and combing waves, which threaten the boats of all

who venture among them without experienced skill. Indeed, the

landing at New Sestros would be impracticable were it not for

the dexterous Kroomen, whose canoes sever and surmount the bil-

lows in spite of their terrific power.

Kroomen and Fishmen are different people from the Bush-

men. The two former classes inhabit the seashore exclusively,

and living apart from other African tribes, are governed by their

elders under a somewhat democratic system. The Bushmen do

uot suffer the Kroos and Fishes to trade with the interior; but,


in recompense for the monopoly of traffic with the strongholds of

Africa's heart, these expert boatmen maintain despotic sway

along the beach in trade with the shipping. As European or

Yankee boats cannot live in the surf I have described, the Kroo

and Fishraen have an advantage over their brothers of the Bush,

as well as over the whites, which they are not backward in using

to their profit. In fact, the Bushmen fight, travel, steal and

trade, while the Kroos and Fishes, who for ages have fringed at

least seven hundred miles of African coast, constitute the mari-

ners, without whose skill and boldness slaves would be drugs in

caravans or barracoons. And this is especially the case since

British, French, and American cruisers have driven the traffic

from every nook and corner of the west coast that even resem-

bled a harbor, and forced the slavers to lay in wait in open

roadsteads for their prey.

The Kroo canoe, wedge like at both ends, is hollowed from

the solid trunk of a tree to the thickness of an inch. Of course

they are so light and buoyant that they not only lie like a feather

on the surface of the sea, so as to require nothing but freedom

from water for their safety, but a canoe, capable of containing

four people, may be borne on the shoulders of one or two to any

reasonable distance. Accordingly, Kroomen and Fishmen are

the prime pets of all slavers, traders, and men-of-war that fre-

quent the west coast of Africa;while no one dwelling on the

shore, engaged in commerce, is particularly anxious to merit or

receive their displeasure.

When I landed at New Scstros, I promptly supplied myself

with a little fleet of these amphibious natives; and, as the news

of my liberality spread north and south along the shore, the

number of my retainers increased with rapidity. Indeed, in six

months a couple of rival towns,—one of Kroos and the other of

Fishes,—hailed me severally as their " Commodore " and " Con-

sul." With such auxiliaries constantly at hand, I rarely feared

the surf when the shipment of slaves was necessary. At Galli-

nas, under the immediate eye of Don Pedro, the most elaborate

care was taken to secure an ample supply of these people and

their boats, and I doubt not that the multitude employed in the


establishment's prime, could, at a favorable moment, despatchat least a thousand slaves within the space of four hours. Yet

I have heard from Kroomen at Gallinas the most harrowing tales

of disaster connected with the shipment of negroes from that

perilous bar. Even in the dry season, the mouth of this river is

frequently dangerous, and, with all the adroitness they could

display, the Kroos could not save boat load after boat load from

becoming food for the ravenous sharks !

I was quite afloat at New Sestros on the tide of success, when

the cruiser that for a while had annoyed me with a blockade, be-

came short of food, and was obliged to bear away for Sierra Leone.

My well paid spy-—a Krooman who had been employed by the

cruiser—soon apprised me of the brig's departure and its cause;

so that in an hour the beach was in a bustle, despatching a swift

canoe to Gallinas with a message to Don Pedro :—" The coast is

clear :—send me a vessel :

—relieve my plethora !

"

Forty-eight hours were hardly over when the twin masts of a

clipper brig were seen scraping along the edge of the horizon,

with the well-known signal for " embarkation." I was undoubt-

edly prepared to welcome my guest, for Kroos, Fishes, Bushmen,Bassas and all, had been alert since daybreak, ready to hail the

craft and receive their fees. There had been a general embargoon all seagoing folks for a day before, so that there was not a

fish to be had for love or money in the settlement. Minute pre-

cautions like these are absolutely necessary for all prudent

slavers, for it was likely that the cruiser kept a spy in her pay

among my people, as well as I did among hers !

All, therefore, was exceedingly comfortable, so far as ordinary

judgment could foresee;but alas ! the moon was full, and the

African surf at such periods is fearfully terrific. As I listened

from my piazza or gazed from my bellevue, it roared on the

strand like the charge of interminable cavalry. My watchful

enemy had been several days absent, and I expected her return

from hour to hour. The shipment, though extremely perilous, was,

therefore indispensable ;and four short hours of daylight alone

remained to complete it. I saw the risk, yet, taking counsel with


the head Kroo and Fishmen, I persuaded them, under the provocation of triple reward, to attempt the enterprise with the smallest

skiffs and stoutest rowers, while a band of lusty youths stood byto plunge in whenever the breakers capsized a canoe.

We began with females, as the most difficult cargo for em-

barkation, and seventy reached the brig safely. Then followed

the stronger sex;but by this time a sea breeze set in from the

south-west like a young gale, and driving the rollers with greater

rapidity, upset almost every alternate cockleshell set adrift with

its living freight. It was fortunate that our sharks happenedthat evening to be on a frolic elsewhere, so that negro after negrowas rescued from the brine, though the sun was rapidly sinking

when but two thirds of my slaves were safely shipped.

I ran up and down the beach, in a fever of anxiety, shout-

ing, encouraging, coaxing, appealing, and refreshing the boatmen

and swimmers;but as the gangs came ashore, they sank ex-

hausted on the beach, refusing to stir. Rum, which hitherto

roused them like electricity, was now powerless. Powder they

did not want, nor muskets, nor ordinary trade stuff, for they

nevcLengaged in kidnapping or slave wars.

Kfi night approached the wind increased. There was the brig

with topsails aback, signalling impatiently for despatch ;but never

was luckless factor more at fault ! I was on the eve of giving

up in despair, when a bright flash brought to recollection, a

quantity of Venetian beads of mock coral which I had stowed in

my chest. They happened, at that moment, to be the rage amongthe girls of our beach, and were of course irresistible keys to the

heart of every belle. Now the smile of a lip has the same magical

power in Africa as elsewhere;and the offer of a coral bunfeh for

each head embarked, brought all the dames and damsels of Sestros

to my aid. Such a shower of chatter was never heard out of a

canary cage. Mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, sweethearts, took

charge of the embarkation by coaxing or commanding their re-

spective gentlemen ; and, before the ûn's rim dipped below the

horizon, a few strands of f:i! 1,or the kiss of a negro wench,

Bent one hundred more of the Africans into Spanish slavery.

But this effort exhausted my people. The charm of beads


and beauty was over : Three slaves found a tomb in the sharksor a grave in the deep, while the brig took flight in the darkness

without the remaining one hundred and tvrenty I had designedfor her hold.

Next morning the cruiser loomed once more in the offing,

and, in a fit of impetuous benevolence, I hurried a Krooman

aboard, with the offer of my compliments, and a sincere hope that

I could render some service !

TWENTY YEAES OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 349

OHAPTEPw LVL

About this time, a Spanish vessel from the Canaries, laden with

fruit, the greater part of which had been sold at Goree, Sierra

Leone, Gallinas, and Cape Mesurado, dropped anchor opposite

Diy little roadstead with a letter from Blanco. The Spaniardhad been chartered by the Don to bring from the Grain Coast a

cargo of rice, which he was to collect under my instructions.

My barracoons happened to be just then pretty bare, and as

the season did not require my presence in the factory for trade,

it struck me that I could not pass a few weeks more agreeably,and ventilate my jaded faculties more satisfactorily, than by

'

throwing my carpetbag on the Brilliant, and purchasing the

cargo myself.

In the prosecution of this little adventure, L called along the

coast with cash at several English factories, where I obtained

rice;and on my return anchored off the river to purchase sea-

stores. Here I found Governor Findley, chief of the colony,

laboring under a protracted illness which refused yielding to

medicine, but might, probably, be relieved by a voyage, even of

a few days, in the pure air of old Neptune. Slaver as I was, I

contrived never to omit a civility to gentlemen on the coast

of Africa;and I confess I was proud of the honorable service,

when Governor Findley accepted the Brilliant for a trip alongthe coast. He proposed visiting Monrovia and Bassa

;and after

350 CAPTAIN canot; oe,

landing at soine port in that quarter to await the captain's return

from windward.

I fanned along the coast as slowly as I could, to give the

Governor every possible chance to recruit his enervated frame

by change, of air; but, as I looked in at New Sestros in passing,

I found three trading vessels with cargoes of merchandise to myconsignment, so that I was obliged to abandon my trip and return

to business. I left the Governor, however, in excellent hands,

and directed the captain to land him at Bassa. await his pleasure

three days, and finally, to bear him to Monrovia, the last place

he desired visiting.

The Rio San Juan or Grand Bassa, is only fourteen miles

north-west of New Sestros, yet it was near nightfall when the

Brilliant approached the river landing. The Spaniard advised

his guest not to disembark till next morning, but the Governor was

so restless and anxious about delay, that he declined our captain's

counsel, and went ashore at a native town, with the design of

crossing on foot the two miles of beach to the American settle-

ment.

As Findley went over the Brilliant's side into the Krooman's

canoe, the jingle of silver was heard in his pocket; and warning

was given him either to hide his money or leave it on board.

But the Governor smiled at the caution, and disregarding it en

tirely, threw himself into the African skiff.

Night fell. The curtain of darkness dropped over the coast and

sea. Twice the sun rose and set without word from the Governor

At last, my delayed mariner became impatient if not anxious,

and despatched one of my servants who spoke English, in search

of Mr. Findley at the American Settlement. No one had seen

or heard of him! But, hurrying homeward from his fruitleK =

errand, my boy followed the winding beach, and half way to the

vessel found a human body, its head gashed with a deep wound,

floating and beating against the rocks. He could not recognize

the features of the battered face; but the well remembered

garments left no doubt on the servant's mind that the corpse was

Findley's.

The frightful story was received with dismay on the Bril

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 35 1

liant, whose captain, unfivmiliar with the coast and its people,

hesitated to land, with the risk of treachery or ambush, even to

give a grave to the dust of his wretched passenger. In this

dilemma he thought best to run the fourteen miles to New Scs-

tros, where he might counsel with me before venturing ashore.

"Whatever personal anxiety may have flashed athwart my mind

when I heard of the death of a colonial governor while enjoying

the hospitality of myself,—a slaver,

—the thought vanished as

quickly as it was conceived. In an instant I was busy with

detection and revenge.

It happened that the three captains had already landed the

cargoes to my consignment, so that their empty vessels were lying

at anchor in the roads, and the officers ready to aid me in any

enterprise I deemed feasible. My colleagues were from three

nations :—one was a Spaniard, another a Portuguese, and the last

American.

Next morning I was early aboard the Spaniard, and sending

for the Portuguese skipper, we assembled the crew. I dwelt

earnestly and heartily on the insult the Castilian flag had received

by the murder of an important personage while protected by its

folds. I demonstrated the necessity there was for prompt chas-

tisement of the brutal crime, and concluded by informing the

crowd, that their captains had resolved to aid me in vindicating

our banner. When T ventured to hope that the men would not

hesitate to back their officers, a general shout went up that they

were ready to land and punish the negroes.

As soon as the enterprise was known on board the American,

her captain insisted on volunteering in the expedition ;and by

noon, our little squadron was under way, with fifty muskets in the

cabins.

The plan I roughly proposed, was, under the menacing ap-

pearance of this force, to demand the murderer or murderers of

Governor Findley, and to execute them, either on his grave, or the

epot where his corpse was found. Failing in this, I intended to

land portions of the crews, and destroy the towns nearest the

theatre of the tragedy.

The sun was still an hour or more high, when we sailed in


line past the native towns along the fatal beach, and displayed oul

flags and pennants. Off the Rio San Juan, we tacked, in man-of-

war fashion, and returning southward, each vessel took post oppo-

site a different town as if to command it.

While I had been planning and executing these manoeuvres,

the colonial settlers had heard of the catastrophe, and found poor

Findley's mangled corpse. At the moment of our arrival off the

river's mouth, an anxious council of resolute men was discussing

the best means of chastising the savages. When my servant

inquired for the governor he had spoken of him as a passenger in

the Spanish craft, so that the parade of our vessels alongshore

and in front of the native towns, betokened, they thought, co-op-

eration on the part of the Mongo of New Sestros.

Accordingly, we had not been long at anchor before Governor

Johnson despatched a Krooman to know whether I was aboard a

friendly squadron ; and, if so, he trusted I would land at once,

and unite with his forces in the intended punishment.

In the interval, however, the cunning savages who soon found

out that we had no cannons, flocked to the beach, and as they were

beyond musket shot, insulted us by gestures, and defied a bat-

tle.

Of course no movement was made against the blacks that

night, but it was agreed in council at the American settlement,

that the expedition, supported by a field piece, should advance

next day by the beach, where I could reinforce it with my seamen

a short distance from the towns.

Punctual to the moment, the colonial flag, with drum and fife,

appeared on the sea-shore at nine in the morning, followed by some

forty armed men, dragging their cannon. Five boats, filled with

sailors instantly left our vessels to support the attack, and, by this

time, the colonists had reached a massive rock which blocked the

beach like a bulwark, and was already possessed by the natives.

My position, in flank, made my force most valuable in dislodging

the foe, and of course I hastened my oars to open the passage. As .

I was altogether ignorant of the numbers that might be hidden

and lurking in the dense jungle that was not more than fifty feet

from the water's edge, I kept my men afloat within musket shot,

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 35o

and, with a few rounds of ball cartridge purged tlic rock of its

defenders, though but a single savage was mortally wounded.

Upon this, the colonists advanced to the vacant bulwark, and

Vferf. joined by our reinforcement, Wheeler, who commanded

the Americans, proposed that we should march in a compact bodyto the towns, and give battle to the blacks if they held out in their

dwellings. But his plan was not executed, for, before we reached

the negro huts, we were assailed from the bushes and jungle.

Their object was to keep hidden within the dense underwood;

to

shoot and run;while we, entirely exposed on the open shore, were

obliged to remain altogether on the defensive by dodging the balls,

or to fire at the smoke of an unseen enemy. Occasionally, large

numbers of the savages would appear at a distance beyond musket

range, aud tossing their guns and lances, or brandishing their

cutlasses, would present their naked limbs to our gaze, slap their

shining flanks, and disappear ! But this diverting exercise war

not repeated very often. A sturdy colonist, named Bear, who

carried a long and heavy old-fashioned rijle, took rest on myshoulder, and, when the next party of annoying jokers displayed

their personal charms, laid its leader in the dust by a Yankee

ball. Oui* cannon and blunderbusses were next brought iuto play

to scour the jungle and expel the marksmen, who, confident in the

secui'ity of their impervious screen, began to fire among us with

more precision than was desirable. A Krooman of our party was

killed, and a colonist severely woimded. Small sections of our

two commands advanced at a run, and fired a volley into the bush-

es, while the main body of the expedition hastened along the beach

towards the towns. By repeating this process several times, we

were enabled, without further loss, to reach the fii'st settlement.

Here, of course, we expected to find the savages arrayed in

force to defend their roof-trees, but when we entered the place

cautiously, and crept to the first dwelling in the outskirt, it was

empty. So with the second, third, fourth,—until we overran

the whole settlement and found it utterly deserted;

—its furni-

ture, stock, implements, and even doars carried ofi" by the delib-

erate fugitives. The guardian fetiche was alone left to protect

their abandoned hovels. But the superstitious charm did not

354 CAPTAIN canot; ok,

save them. The brand was lighted ; and, in an hour, five of

these bamboo confederacies were given to the flames.

We discovered while approaching the towns, that our assault

had made so serious an inroad on the slim supply of ammunition,

that it was deemed advisable to send a messenger to the colony

for a reinforcement. By neglect or mishap, the powder and ball

never reached us;

so that when the towns were destroyed, no

one dreamed of penetrating the forest to unearth its vermin with

the remnant of cartridges in our chest and boxes. I never was

able to discover the cause of this unpardonable neglect, or the

oflBcer who permitted it to occur in such an exigency ;but it was

forthwith deemed advisable to waste no time in retreating after

our partial revenge.

Till now, the Africans had kept strictly on the defensive, but

when they saw our faces turned towards the beach, or colony,

every bush and thicket became alive again with aggressive foes.

For a while, the cannon kept them at bay, but its grape soon

gave out; and, while I was in the act of superintending a fair

division of the remaining ball cartridges, I was shot in the right

foot with an iron slug. At the moment of injury I scarcely

felt the wound, and did not halt, but, as I trudged along in the

sand and salt-water, my wound grew painful, and the loss of

blood which tracked my steps, soon obliged me to seek refuge in

the canoe of my Kroomen.

The sight of my bleeding body borne to the skiff, was hailed

with shouts and gestures of joy and contempt by the savages. As

I crossed the last breaker and dropped into smooth water, myeyes reverted to the beach, where I heard the exultant war druin

and war bells, while the colonists were beheld in full flight,

leaving their artillery in the hands of our foe ! It was sub-

sequently reported that the commander of the party had been

panic struck by the perilous aspect of affairs, and ordered the

precipitate and fatal retreat, which that very night emboldened

the negroes to revenge the loss of their towns by the conflagration

of Bassa-Cove.

Next day, my own men, and the volunteers from our Spanish,

Portuguese and American vessels, were sent on board, eight of


tL m bearing marks of the fray, which fortunately proved neither

faul nor dangerous. The shameful flight of my comrades not

only gave heart to the blacks, but spread its cowardly panic

among the resident colonists. The settlement, they told me,was in danger of attack, and although my wound and the disaster

both contributed to excite me against the fugitives, I did not

quit the San Juan without reinforcing Governor Johnson with

twenty muskets and some kegs of powder.I have dwelt rather tediously perhaps on this sad occurrence

—but I have a reason. Governor Findley's memory was, at this

time, much vilified on the coast, because that functionary had ac-

cepted the boon of a passage in the Brilliant, which was falsely de-

clared to be " a Spanish slaver." There were some among the

overrighteous who even went so far as to proclaim his death " a

judgment for venturing on the deck of such a vessel !

"

As no one took the trouble to investigate the facts and con-

tradict the malicious lie, I have thought it but justice to tell

the entire story, and exculpate a gentleman who met a terrible

death in the bold prosecution of his duty.

356 CAPTAIN CANOT ; OE*

CHAPTEE LVII.

I TOOK the earliest opportunity to apprise Don Pedro Blanco of

the mishap that had befallen his factor's limb, so that I might

receive the prompt aid of an additional clerk to attend the more

active part of our business. Don Pedro's answer was extremely

characteristic. The letter opened with a draft for five hundred

dollars, which he authorized me to bestow on the widow and

orphans of Governor Findley, if he left a family. The slaver of

Gallinas then proceeded to comment upon my Quixotic expedi-

tion; and, in gentle terms, intimated a decided censure for my

immature attempt to chastise the negroes. He did not disap-

prove my motives ; but considered any revengeful assault on the

natives unwise, unless every precaution had previously been

taken to insure complete success. Don Pedro hoped that, hence-

forth, I would take things more coolly, so as not to hazard either

my life or his property ;and concluded the epistle by super-

scribing it :

"To" Senor Powder,

" at his Magazine,'

." New Sestros."

The slug that struck the upper part of my foot, near the

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFKICAN SLAVER. 357

ankle joint, tore my flesh and tendons with a painfully dangcr-

gerous wound, which, for nine months, kept mc a prisoner on

crutches. During the long and wearying confinement which al-

most broke my restless heart, I had little to do save to superintend

the general fortunes of our factory. Now and then, an incident

occurred to relieve the monotony of my sick chair, and make me

forget, for a moment, the pangs of my crippled limb. One of

these events flashes across my memory as I write, in the shape

of a letter which was mysteriously delivered at my landing by a

coaster, and came from poor Joseph, my ancient partner on the

Rio Pongo. Coomba's spouse was in trouble ! and the ungrate-

ful scamp, though forgetful of my own appeals from the Chateau

of Brest, did not hesitate to claim my brotherly aid. Capturedin a Spanish slaver, and compromised beyond salvation, Josephhad been taken into Sierra Leone, where he was now under sen-

tence of transportation. The letter hinted that a liberal sum

might purchase his escape, even from the tenacious jaws of the

British lion;and when I thought of old times, the laughable

marriage ceremony, and the merry hours we enjoyed at Kambia,I forgave his neglect. A draft on Don Pedro was readily cashed

at Sierra Leone, notwithstanding the paymaster was a slaver and

the jurisdiction that of St. George and his Cross. The trans-

action, of course, was "purely commercial," and, therefore, sin-

less;

so that, in less than a month, Joseph and the bribed

turnkey were on their way to the Rio Pongo.

By this time the sub-factory of New Sestros was somewhat

renowned iu Cuba and Porto Rico. Our dealings with comman-

ders, the character of my cargoes, and the rapidity with which I

despatched a customer and his craft were proverbial iu the islands.

Indeed, the third year of my lodgment had not rolled over, be-

fore the slave-demand was so great, that in spite of rum, cottons,

muskets, powder, kidnapping and Prince Freeman's wars, the

country could not supply our demand.

To aid New Sestros, I had established several nurseries, or

junior factories, at Little Bassa and Digby ; points a few miles

from the limits of Liberia. These "chapels of ease

"furnished

my parent barracoons with young and small negroes, mostly

kidnapped, T suppose, in the neighborhood of the beach.


When I was perfectly cured of the injury I sustained in myfirst philanthropic fight, I loaded my spacious cutter with a

choice collection of trade-goods, and set sail one fine morningfor this outpost at Digby. I designed, also, if advisable, to

erect another receiving harracoon under the lee of CapeMount.

But my call at Digby was unsatisfactory. The pens were

vacant, and our merchandise squandered on credit. This putme in a very uncomfortable passion, which would have rendered

an interview between " Mr. Powder " and his agent any thing

but pleasant or profitable, had that personage been at his post.

Fortunately, however, for both of us, he was abroad carousingwith " a king ;

" so that I refused landing a single yard of mer-

chandise, and hoisted sail for the next village.

There I transacted business in regular"shipshape." Oui

rum was plenteously distributed and established an entente cordiah

which would have charmed a diplomatist at his first dinner in a

new capital. The naked blackguards flocked round me like

crows, and I clothed their loins in parti-colored calicoes that

enriched them with a plumage worthy of parrots. I was the

prince of good fellows in "every body's" opinion; and, in five

days, nineteen newly-" conveyed" darkies were exchanged for

Loudon muskets, Yankee grog, and Manchester cottons !

"

My cutter, though but twenty-seven feet long, was large

enough to stow my gang, considering that the voyage was short,

and the slaves but boys and girls ;so I turned my prow home-

ward with contented spirit and promising skies. Yet, before

night, all was changed. Wind and sea rose together. The sun

sank in a long streak of blood. After a while, it rained in ter-

rible squalls; till, finally, darkness caught me in a perfect gale. So

high was the surf and so shelterless the coast, that it became

utterly impossible to make a lee of any headland where we mightride out the storm in safety. Our best hope was in the cutter's

ability to keep the open sea without swamping ; and, accordingly,

under the merest patch of sail, I coasted the perilous breakers,

guided by their roar, till day dawn. But, when the sUn lifted

over the horizon,—

peering for an instant through a rent in the


Btorm-cloud, and then disappearing behind the gray vapor,—I

saw at once that the coast offered no chance of landing our

blacks at some friendly town. Every where the bellowing shore

was lashed by surf, impracticable even for the boats and skill of

Kroomen. On I dashed, therefore, driving and almost buryingthe cutter, with loosened reef, till we came opposite Monrovia;

wliere, safe in the absence of cruisers, I crept at dark under the

lee of the cape, veiling my cargo with our useless sails.

Sunset " killed the wind," enabling us to be off again at

dawn; yet hardly were we clear of the cape, when both gale and

current freshened from the old quarter, holding us completelyin check. Nevertheless, I kept at sea till evening, and then

sneaked back to my protecting anchorage.

By this time, my people and slaves were wellnigh famished,for their sole food had been a scant allowance of raw cassava.

Anxiety, toil, rain, and drenching spray, broke their spirits.

The blacks, from the hot interior, and now for the first time off

their mother earth, suffered not only from the inclement weather,but groaned with the terrible pangs of sea-sickness. I resolved,

therefore, if possible, to refresh the drooping gang by a hot meal;

and, beneath the shelter of a tarpaulin, contrived to cook a messof rice. Warm food comforted us astonishingly ; but, alas ! the

next day was a picture of the past ! A slave—cramped andsmothered amid the crowd that soaked so long in the salt waterat our boat's bottom—died during the darkness. Next morning,the same low, leaden, coiBu-lid sky, hung like a pall over sea andshore. Wind in terrifiic blasts, and rain in deluging squalls,

howled and beat on us. Come what might, I resolved not to

stir ! All day I kept my people beneath the sails, with orders

to move their limbs as much as possible, in order to overcome the

benumbing effect of moisture and packed confinement. The in-

cessant drenching from sea and sky to which they had been so

long subjected, chilled their slackened circulation to such a de-

gree, that death from torpor seemed rapidly supervening. Mo-

tion, motion, motion, was my constant command;but I hoarded

my alcohol for the last resource.

I saw that no time was to be lost, and that nothing but a


bold enconnter of hazard would save either lives or property.

Before dark my mind was made up as to the enterprise. I would

land in the neighborhood of the colony, and cross its territory

during the shadow of night !

I do not suppose that the process by which I threw my stiff-

ened crew on the beach, and revived them with copious draughts

of brandy, would interest the reader;but midnight did noi

strike before my cargo, under the escort of Kroo giiides, was

boldly marched through the colonial town, and safe 07i its wayto New Sestros ! Fortunately for my dare -devil adventure, the

tropical rain poured down in ceaseless torrents, compelling the

unsuspicious colonists to keep beneath their roofs. Indeed, no

one dreamed of a forced march by human beings on that dreadful

night of tempest, else it might have gone hard had I been detect-

ed in the desecration of colonial soil. Still I was prepared for

all emergencies. I never went abroad without the two great

keys of Africa—gold and firearms;and had it been my lot to

encounter a colonist, he would either have learned the value of

silence, or have been carried along, under the muzzle of a pistol,

till the gang was in safety.

While it was still dark, I left the caravan advancing by an

interior path to Little Bassa, where one of my branches could

furnish it with necessaries to cross the other colony of Bassa San

Juan, so as to reach my homestead in the course of three days.

Meanwhile I retraced my way to Monrovia, and, reaching it by

sunrise, satisfied the amiable colonists that I had just taken shel-

ter in their harbor, and was fresh from my dripping cutter. It

is very likely that no one in the colony to the present day knows

the true story of this adventure, or would believe it unless con-

fessed by me.

It was often my fate in Africa, and elsewhere, to hear gossips

declare that colonists were no better than others who dwelt amid

coast temptations, and that they were sometimes even willing to

back a certain Don Theodore Canot, if not absolutely to share

his slave trade ! I never thought it prudent to exculpate those

honorable emigrants who were consolidating the first colonial

lodgments from the United States;

for I believed that tnydenial

\

TWENTY YEaRS OF AN AFUICAN SLAVER. 361

would only add sarcastic venom to the scandal of vilifiera.

But now that my African career is over,.and the slave trade a

mere tradition in the neighborhood of Liberia, I may assure the

friends of colonization, that, in all my negro traffic, no American

settler gave assistance or furnished merchandise which I could not I

have obtained at the most, loyal establishments of Britain or '

France. I think it will be granted by unprejudiced people, that

the colonist who sold me a few pieces of cloth, lodged me in tra-

velling, or gave me his labor for my flesh-colored gold, partici-

pated no more in the African slave trade than the European or

American supercargo who sold assorted cargoes, selected with

the most deliberate judgment in London, Paris, Boston, New-

York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore, expressly to suit the well-

known cupidity of my warriors, kidnappers, and slave merchants.

Commerce is sometimes an adroit metaphysican—but a bad

moralist I

16


CHAPTER LVIII.

It was my invariable custom whenever a vessel made her ap-

pearance in the roadstead of New Sestros, to despatch my canoe

with "Captain Canot's compliments ;

" nor did I omit this grace-

ful courtesy when his Britannic Majesty's cruisers did me the

honor of halting in my neighborhood to watch or destroy my ope-

rations. At such times I commonly increased the politeness byan offer of my services, and a tender of provisions, or of any com-

modity the country could supply !

I remember an interesting rencounter of this sort with the

officers of the brig of war Bonito. My note was forwarded by a

trusty Krooman, even before her sails were furled, but the cour-

teous offer was respectfully declined "/or the present.^'' The cap-

tain availed himself, however, of my messenger's return, to an-

nounce that the " commodore in command of the African squad-

ron had specially deputed the Bonito to blockade New Sestros,

for which purpose she was provisioned for six months, and or-

dered not to budge from her anchorage till relieved by a

cruiser !

"

This formidable announcement was, of course, intended to


strike me with awe. The captain hoped in conclusion, that I

would SCO the folly of prosecuting my abominable traffic in tho

face of such a disastrous vis a vis ; nor could he refrain from in-

timating his surprise that a man of my reputed character and

ability, would consent to manacle and starve the unfortunate ne-

groes who were now suffering in my barracoons.

I saw at once from this combined attack of fear and flattery,backed by blockade, that his majesty's oflBicer had either been

gi-ossly misinformed, or believed that a scarcity of rice prevailedin my establishment as well as elsewhere along the coast.

The suspicion of starving blacks in chains, was not only pa-thetic but mortifying ! It was part of the sentimental drapery of

British reports and despatches, to which I became accustomedin Africa. I did not retort upon my dashing captain with a

sneer at his ancestors who had taught the traffic to Spaniards,

yet I resolved not to let his official communications reach the

British admiralty with a fanciful tale about my barracoons andstarvation. Accordingly, without more ado, I sent a second bil-

let to the Bonito, desiring her captain or any of her officers to

visit New Sestros, and ascertain personally the condition of myestablishment.

Strange to tell, my invitation was accepted ;and at noon a

boat with a whiteflag, appeared on the edge of the surf, convey-

ing two officers to my beach. The surgeon and first lieutenant

were my visitors. I welcomed them most cordially to my cot-

tage, and as soon as tho customary refreshments were despatch-

ed, proposed a glance at the dreadful barracoons.

As well as I now remember, there must have been at least

five hundred slaves in my two pens, sleek in flesh, happy in

looks, and ready for the first customer who could outwit the

cruiser. I quietly despatched a notice of our advent to the bar-

racooniers, with directions as to their conduct, so that the moment ray naval friends entered the stanch inclosures, full two

hundred and fifty human beings, in each, rose to their feet and

saluted the strangers with long and reiterated clapping. This

sudden and surprising demonstration somewhat alarmed myguests at its outburst, and made them retreat a pace towards tho


door,—

perhaps in fear of treachery ;

—^but when they saw the

smiling faces and heard the pleased chatter of my people, they

soon came forward to learn that the compliment was worth a cus-

tomary demijohn of rum.

The adventure was a fortunate one for the reputation of New

Sestros, Don Pedro my employer, and Don Teodor, his clerk.

Our establishment happened just then to be at a summit of ma-

terial comfort rarely exceeded or even reached by others. Mypens were full of slaves

; my granary, of rice; my stores, of

merchandise.

From house to house,—from hut to hut,

—the sailor and saw-

bones wandered with expressions of perfect admiration, till the

hour for dinner approached. I ordered the meal to be adminis-

tered with minute attention to all our usual ceremonies. The

washing, singing, distribution of food, beating time, and all the

prandial etceteras of comfort, were performed with the utmost

precision and cleanliness, They could not believe that such was

the ordinary routine of slave life in harracoons^ but ventured to

hint that I must have got up the drama for their special diver-

sion, and that it was impossible for such to be the ordinary drill

and demeanor of Africans. Our dapper little surgeon, with al-

most dissective inquisitiveness, pried into every nook and corner;

and at length reached the slave kitchen, where a caldron was

full and bubbling with the most delicious rice. Hard by stood

a pot, simmering with meat and soup, and in an instant the doc-

tor had a morsel between his fingers and brought his companionto follow his example.

Now, in sober truth, this was no casual display got up for

effect, but the common routine of an establishment conducted

with prudent foresight, for the profit of its owners as well as

the comfort of our people. And yet, such was the fanatical pre-

possession of these Englishmen, whose idea of Spanish factories

and harracoons was formed exclusively from exaggerated reports,

that I could not satisfy them of my truth till I produced our

journal, in which I noted minutely every item of daily expendi-

ture. It must be understood, however, that it was not my habit

to give the slaves riieat every day of the week. Such a diet would


not be prudent, because it is not habitual with the majority of

negroes. Two bullocks were slaughtered each week for the use

of my factory^ while the hide, head, blood, feet, neck, tail, and

entrails, were appropriated for broth in the barracoons. It hap-

pended that my visitors arrived on the customary day of our

butchering.

A stinging appetite was the natural result of our review, and

while the naval guests were whetting it still more, I took the op-

portunity to slip out of my verandah with orders for our harbor

pilot to report the beach "impracticable for boats,"

—a reportwhich no prudent sailor on the coast ever disregards. Meanwhile,I despatched a Krooman with a note to the Bonito's captain, no-

tifying that personage of the marine hazard that prevented his

officers' immediate return, and fearing they might even find it

necessary to tarry over night. This little ruse was an hn-

promptu device to detain my inspectors, and make us better ac-

quainted over the African cuisi?ie, which, by this time was smok-

ing in tureens and dishes flanked by spirited sentinels, in black

uniform, of claret and eau de vie.

Our dinner-chat was African all over : slavery, cruisers, prize-

money, captures, war, negro-trade, and philanthropy ! The sur-

geon melted enough under the blaze of the bottle to admit, as a

philosopher, that Cuffee was happier in the hands of white menthan of black, and that he would even support the institution if

it could be carried on with a little more humanity and less blood-

shed. The lieutenant saw nothing, even through the "Spiritual

Medium "of our flagons, save prize-money and obedience to the

Admiral;

while Don Teodor became rather tart on the ser-

vice, and confessed that his incredulity of British philanthropywould never cease till England abandoned her Indian wars, her

opium smuggling, and her persecution of the Irish !

In truth, these loyal subjects of the King, and the Spanish sla-

ver became most excellent friends before bed-time, and ended the

evening by a visit to Prince Freeman, who forthwith got up a

negro dance and jollification for our special entertainment.

I have not much recollection after the end of this savage frolio


till my" look-out

" knocked at the door witii tte news that our

brig Tvas firing for her officers, while a suspicious sail flitted along

the horizon.

All good sailors sleep with one eye and ear open, so that in a

twmkling the lieutenant was afoot making for the beach, and call-

ing for the surgeon to follow." A canoe ! a canoe ! a canoe !

"

shouted the gallant blade, while he ran to and fro on the edge of

the surf, beholding signal after signal from his vessel. But alas !

for the British navy,—out of all the Kroo spectators not one

stirred hand or foot for the royal officer. Next came the jingle of

dollars, and the offer of twenty to the boatmen who would launch

their skiff and put them on board. "No savez ! No savez! ax

Commodore ! ax Consul !

"

" Curse your Commodore and Consul !

"yelled the lieutenant,

as the surgeon came up with the vociferous group :

"put us aboard

and be paid, or I'll"

"Stop, stop !

"interposed my pacific saw-bones,

" no swearing

and no threats, lieutenant. One's just as useless as the other.

First of all, the Bonito's off about her business;

—and next, mydear fellow, the chase she's after is one of Canot's squadron, and,

of course, there's an embargo on every canoe along this beach !

The Commodore's altogether too cute, as the Yankees say, to

reinforce his enemy with officers !

"

During this charming little episode of my hlocTcade, I was

aloft in my bellevieu, watching the progress of the chase;and as

both vessels kept steadily northward they soon disappeared behind

the land.

By this time it was near breakfast, and, with a good appetite,

I descended to the verandah, with as unconcerned an air as if

nothing had occurred beyond the ordinary routine of factory life.

But, not so, alas ! my knight of the single epaulette." This is a pretty business, sir

;

" said the lieutenant, fixing a

look on me which was designed to annihilate; striding up and

down the piazza," a very pretty business, I repeat !

"Pray, Com-

modore, Consul, Don, Senor, Mister, Monsieur, Theodore Canot,

or whatever the devil else you please to call yourself, how long

do you intend to keep British officers prisoners in your infernal

slave den ?"


Now it is very likely that some years before, or if I had not

contrived the plot of this little naval contrc temps, I might have

burst forth in a beautiful rage, and given my petulant and foiled

visitor a specimen of my Spanish vocabulary, which would not

have rested pleasantly in the memory of cither party. But as he

warmed / cooled. His rage, in fact, was a fragment of my prac-

tical satire, and I took special delight in beholding the contor-

tions caused by my physic." Sit down, sit down, lieutenant !

" returned I very composedly,*' we're about to have coffee, and you are my guest. Nothing,

lieutenant, ever permits me to neglect the duties of hospitality in

such an out-of-the-way and solitary place as Africa. Sit down,doctor ! Calm yourselves, gentlemen. Take example by me !

Your Bonito is probably playing the devil with one of Don Pedro's

craft by this time;but that don't put me out of temper, or m.ake

me unmannerly to gentlemen who honor my bamboo hut with their

presence !

" I laid peculiar stress, by way of accent, on the word"unmannerly," and in a moment I saw the field was in my hands.

"Yes, gentlemen," continued I,

" I comprehend very well both

your duty and responsibility ; but, now that I see you are calmer,

have the kindness to say in what I am to blame? Did you not

come here to " blockade " New Sestros, with a brig and provisions

for half a year ? And do I prevent your embarkation, if you can

find any Krooman willing to take you on board ? Nay, did either

of you apprise me, as is customary when folks go visiting, that

you designed leaving my quarters at so early an hour as to afford

me the pleasure of seeing every thing in order for your accommo-

dation ? Come now, my good fellows, New Sestros is my flagship,

as the Bonito is yours ! No body stirs from this beach without

the wink from its Commodore;and I shall be much surprised to

hear such excellent disciplinarians dispute the propriety of my rule.

Nevertheless, as you feel anxious to be gone on an independent

cruise, you shall be furnished with a canoe instantcr !"

" An offer," interjected the surgeon," which it would be d—d

nonsense to accept ! Have done with your infernal sneering, Don

Teodor; strike your flag, Mr. Lieutenant; and let the darkies

bring in the breakfast !

"

368 CAPTAJN CANOT; OR,

I have narrated this little anecdote to show that Spanish sla-

vers sometimes ventured to have a little fun with the British lion,

and that when we got him on his haunches, his mouth full of beef

and his fore paws in air, he was by no means the unamiable beast

he is described to be, when, in company with the unicorn, he

goes"a-fighting for the crowrxl

"

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER- 3C9

CHAPTER LIX.

The balance of life vibrated considerably on the ALfrican

coast. Sometimes Mr. Bull's scale ascended and sometimes the

Slaver's. It was now the turn of the former to be exalted for a

while by way of revenge for my forced hospitality.

Our friends of the Bonito held on with provoking pertinacity

in front of my factory, so that I was troubled but little with com-

pany from Cuba for several months. At last, however, it became

necessary that I should visit a neighboring colony for supplies,

and I took advantage of a Russian trader along the coast to effect

my purpose. But when we were within sight of our destination,

a British cruiser brought us to and visited the "Galopsik." As

her papers were in order, and the vessel altogether imtainted, I

took it for granted that Lieutenant Hill would make a short stay

and be off to his "Saracen." Yet, a certain "slave deck," and

an unusual quantity of water-casks, aroused the officer's suspicions,

so that instead of heading for our port, we were unceremoniouslyfavored with a prize crew, and ordered to Sierra Leone !

I did not venture to protest against these movements, inas-

much as I had no interest whatever in the craft, but I ventured

to suggest that " as I was only a passenger, there could be no ob-

jection to my landing before the new voyage was commenced.""By no means, sir," was the prompt reply,

"your presence

is a material fact for the condemnation of the vessel /^^ In-

16*


deed, I soon found out that I was recognized Iby some of the Kroo«

men on the cruiser, and my unlucky reputation was a hole in the

bottom of our Russian craft !

At Sierra Leone matters became worse. The Court did not

venture to condemn the Russian, but resolved on ordering her to

England ;and when I re-stated my reasonable appeal for release,

I was told that I must accompany the vessel on her visit to G-reat

Britain.

This arbitrary decision of our captors sadly disconcerted myplans. A voyage to England would ruin New Sestros. My har-

racoons were alive with blacks, but I had not a month's provisions

in my stores. The clerk, temporarily in charge, was altogether

unfit to conduct a factory during a prolonged absence,—and all

my personal property, as well as Don Pedro's, was at the hazard

of his judgment during a period of considerable difficulty.

I resolved to take " French leave."

Three men of war were anchored astern and on our bows. No

boats were allowed to approach us from shore;

at night two ma-

rines and four sailors paraded the deck, so that it was a thing of

some peril to dream of escape in the face of such Arguses. Yet

there was no help for it. I could not afford an Admiralty or

Chancery suit in England, while my barracoons were foodless in

Africa.

No one had been removed from the Russian since her seizure,

nor were we denied liberty of motion and intercourse so long as

suspicion had not ripened into legal condemnation. The captain,

by birth a Spaniard, was an old acquaintance, while the steward

and boatswain were good fellows who professed willingness to aid

me in any exploit I might devise for my liberty.

I hit upon the plan of a regular carouse;and at once decided

that my Spanish skipper was bound to keep his birth-day with

commendable merriment and abundant grog. There was to be

no delay ,one day was as good as another for his festival, while

all that we needed, was time enough to obtain the requisite sup-

plies of food and fluid.

This was soon accomplished, and the " fatted pig"

slaugh-

tered for the feast. As I never left home unprovided with gold,


means were not wanting to stock our pantry with champagne as

well as brandy.

Every thing went off to a charm. We fed like gluttons and

drank like old-fashioned squires. Bumper after bumper was

quaffed to the captain. Little by little, the infection spread, as it

always does, from the ward-room to the cabin, and "goodfellow-

ship" was the watchword of the night. Invitations were given

and accepted by our prize crew. Bull and the Lion again relaxed

under the spell of beef and brandy, so that by sundown every lip

had tasted our cau de vie, and watered for more. The "first

watch" found every soul on board, with the exception of our cor-

poral of marines, as happy as lords.

This corporal was a regular"character;

"and, from the first,

had been feared as our stumbling-block. He was a perfect mar-

tinet; a prim, precise, black-stock'd, military. Miss Nancy. Heneither ate nor drank, neither talked nor smiled, but paraded the

deck with a grim air of iron severity, as if resolved to preserve

hisôwn"discipline

"if he could not control that of any one else.

I doubt very much whether her Majesty has in her service a more

dutiful loyalist than Corporal Blunt, if that excellent functionary

has not succumbed to African malaria.

I hoped that something would occur to melt the corporal's

heart during the evening, and had prepared a little vial in mypocket, which, at least, would have given him a stirless nap of

twenty-four hours. But nothing broke the charm of his spell-

bound sobriety. There he marched, to and fro, regular as a drum

tap, hour after hour, stiff and inexorable as a ramrod !

But who, after the fall of Corporal Blunt, shall declare that

there is a living man free from the lures of betrayal ? And

yet, he only surrendered to an enemy in disguise !

" God bless me, corporal," said our prize lieutenant,'* in the

name of all that's damnable, why don't you let out a reef or

two from those solemn checks of yours, and drink a bumper to

Captain Gaspard and Don T6odor ? You ain't afraid of cider,

are you ?"

"Cider, captain ?

" said the corporal, advancing to the front

and throwing up his hand with a military salute.


"Cider and be d—d to you!" returned the lieutenant

" Cider—of course, corporal; what other sort of pop can starving

wretches like us drink in Sary-loney ?"

"Well, lieutenant," said the corporal,

"if so be as how them

fizzing bottles which yonder Spanish gentleman is a pourin down

is only cider ; and if cider ain't agin rules after•

eight bells;

'

and if you, lieutenant, orders me to handle my glass,—I don't

see what right I have to disobey the orders of my superior !

"

" Oh ! blast your sermon and provisos"

interjected the

lieutenant, filling a tumbler and handing it to the corporal, who

drained it at a draught. In a moment the empty glass was re-

turned to the lieutenant, who, instead of receiving it from the

subaltern, refilled the tumbler.

"Oh, I'm sure I'm a thousand times obliged, lieutenant,"

said Blunt, with his left hand to his cap," a thousand, thousand

times, lieutenant,—but I'd rather take no more, if it's all the

same to your honor."" But it ain't, Blunt, by any means

;the rule is universal

among gentlemen on ship and ashore, that whenever a fellow's

glass is filled, he must drink it to the dregs, though he may leave

a drop in the bottom to pour out on the table in honor of hia

sweetheart;

—so, down with the cider ! And now Blunt, my boy,

that you've calked your first nail-head, I insist upon a bumperall round to that sweetheart you were just talking of! "

"Me, lieutenant ?

"

"You, corporal !

"

" I wasn't talking about any sweetheart, as I remembers,

lieutenant;

—'pon the honor of a soldier, I haven't had no such a

thing this twenty years, since one warm summer's afternoon,

when Jane "

"Now, corporal, you don't pretend to contradict your superior

officer, I hope. You don't intend to be the first man on this ship

to show a mutinous example !

"

" Oh ! God bless me, lieutenant, the thought never entered

my brain !

"

But the third tumbler of champaigne did, in the apple-blos-

eom disguise of " cider ;"and, in half an hour, there wasn't an


odder figure on deck than the poor corporal, whose vice-like stock

steadied his neck, though there was nothing that could make him

toe the plank which he pertinaciausly insisted on promenading.Blunt the immaculate, was undeniably drunk !

In fact,—

though I say it with all possible respect for her

Majesty's naval officers, while on duty,—there was, by this time,

hardly a sober man on deck or in the cabin except nij'self and

the Spanish captain, who left me to engage the prize-officer in a

game of backgammon or dominoes. The crew was dozing about

the decks, or nodding over the taffrail, while my colleague, the

boatswain, prepared an oar on the forecastle to assist me in reach-

ing the beach.

It was near midnight when I stripped in my state-room,

leaving my garments in the berth, and hanging my watch over

its pillow. In a small bundle I tied a flannel shirt and a pair

of duck pantaloons, which I fastened behind my neck as I stood

on the forecastle;and then, placing the oar beneath my arm, I

glided from the bows into the quiet .water.

The night was not only very dark, but a heavy squall of wind

and rain, accompanied by thunder, helped to conceal my escape

and free the stream from sharks. I was not long in reaching a

native town, where a Krooman from below, who had known meat Gallinas, was prepared for my reception and concealment.

Next morning, the cabin-boy, who did not find mo as usual

on deck, took my coffee to the state-room, where, it was supposed,

I still rested in comfortable oblivion of last night's carouse.

But the bird had flown ! There were my trunk, my garments,

my watch,—undisturbed as I left them when preparing for bed.

There was the linen of my couch turned down and tumbled dur-

ing repose. The inquest had no doubt of my fate :—Ihad fallen,

overboard during the night, and was doubtless, by this time,

well digested in the bowels of African sharks ! Folks shook

their heads with surprise when it was reported that the notorious

slaver, Canot, had fallen a victim to mania a potu !

The report of my death soon reached shore;

the British

townsfolk believed it, but I never imagined for a moment that

the warm-hearted tar who commanded the prize had been de-

ceived by such false signals.


During eight days I remained hidden among the friendly ne-

groes, and from nay loop-hole, saw the Russian vessel sail underthe Saracen's escort. I was not, however, neglected in my con-

cealment by the worthy tradesmen of the British colony, whoknew I possessed money as well as credit. This permitted meto receive visits and make purchases for the factory, so that Iwas enabled, on the eighth day, with a full equipment of all I

desired, to quit the British jurisdiction in a Portuguese vessel.

On our way to New Sestros, I made the skipper heave his

main-yard aback at Digby, while I embarked thirty-one" dar-

kies," and a couple of stanch canoes with their Kroomen, to

land my human freight in case of encountering a cruiser.

And well was it for me that I took this precaution. Nightfell around us, dark and rainy,

—the wind blowing in squalls, andsometimes dying away altogether. It was near one o'clock whenthe watch announced two vessels on our weather bow

; and, of

course, the canoes were launched, manned, filled with twenty of

the gang, and set adrift for the coast, ere our new acquaintancescould honor us with their personal attention. Ten of the slaves

still remained on board, and as it was perilous to risk them in

our own launch, we capsized it over the squad, burying the fel-

lows in its bowels under the lee of a sailor's pistol to keep them

quiet if we were searched.

Our lights had hardly been extinguished in cabin and binna

cle, when we heard the measured stroke of a man-of-war oar

In a few moments more the boat was alongside, the officer on

deck, and a fruitless examination concluded. The blacks be-

neath the launch were as silent as death; nothing was found to

render the " Maria "suspicious ;

and we were dismissed with a

left-handed blessing for rousing gentlemen from their bunks on

so comfortless a night. Next morning at dawn we reached NewSestros, where my ten lubbers were landed without delay.

But our little comedy was not yet over. Noon had not

struck before the "Dolphin

"cast anchor within hail of the

"Maria," and made so free as to claim her for a prize ! In the

darkness and confusion of shipping the twenty slaves who were

first of all despatched in canoes, one of them slipped overboard


with a paddle, and sustained himself till daylight, when ho waa

picked up by the cruiser whose jaws we had escaped during the

night ! The negro's story of our trick aroused the ire of her

commander, and the poor" Maria " was obliged to pay the for-

feit by revisiting Sierra Leone in custody of an officer.

There were great rejoicings on my return to New Sestroa.

The coast was full of odd and contradictory stories about our

capture. When the tale of my death at Sierra Leone by drown-

ing, in a fit of drunkenness, was told to my patron Don Pedro,

that intelligent gentleman denied it without hesitation, because,

in the language of the law,"

it proved too much.'''' It was possible^

he said, that I unght have been drowned;but when they told

him I had come to my death by strong drink, they declared what

was not only improbable, but altogether out of the question.

Aclbrdingly, he would take the liberty to discredit the entire

story, being sure that I would turn up before long.

But poor Prince Freeman was not so clever a judge of nature

as Don Pedro. Freeman had heard of my death; and, imbued

as he was with the superstitions of his country, nobody could

make him credit my existence till he despatched a committee to

my factory, headed by his son, to report the facts. But then, on

the instant, the valiant prince paid me a visit of congratulation.

As I held out both hands to welcome him, I saw the fellow shrink

with distrust.

" Count your fingers 1

"said Freeman.

"Well," said I,

" what for ?—here they are—one—two—three—four—five—six—seven—eight

—nine—ten !

"

" Good—good !

" shouted the prince, as he clasped my digits." White men tell too many lies 'bout the commodore ! White

man say, John Bull catch commodore, and cut him fingers all

ofl",so commodore no more can ' makee book '

for niakee fool of

John Bull !

"Which, being translated into English, signifies

that it was reported my fingers had been cut off by my British

captors to prevent me from writing letters by which the innocent

natives believed I so often bamboozled and deceived the cruisers

of her Majesty.

During my absence, a French captain, who was one of oui


most attentive friends, had left a donkey which he brought from

the Cape de Verds for my especial delectation, by way of an oc-

casional promenade a chevall I at once resolved to bestow

the "long-eared convenience " on Freeman, not only as a type,

but a testimonial; yet, before a week was over, the unlucky

quadruped reappeared at my quarters, with a message from the

prince that it might do well enough for a bachelor like me, but

its infernal voice was enough to cause the miscarriage of an en-

tire harem, if not of every honest woman throughout his juris-

diction ! The superstition spread like wildfire. The womenwere up in arms against the beast

;and I had no rest till I got

rid of its serenades by despatching it to Monrovia, where the

dames and damsels were not afraid of donkeys of any dimen-

sions.

rV/ENTV YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 2T7

CHAPTEE LX.

[t was my habit to employ at New Sestros a clerk, storekeeper,

and four seamen, all of whom were whites of reliable character,

competent to aid me efficiently in the control of my barracoons.

One of these sailors died of dropsy while in my service; and,

as I write, the memory of his death flashes across my mind so

vividly, that I cannot help recording it among the characteristic

e\cnts of African coast-life.

Sanchez, I think^ was by birth a Spaniard ;at least his per-

fect familiarity with the language, as well as name and appear-

ance, induced me to believe that the greater part of his life must

have been spent under the shield of Saint lago. The poor fel-

low was ill for a long time, but in Africa, existence is so much a

long-drawn malady, that we hardly heeded his bloated flesh or

cadaverous skin, as he sat, day after day, musket in hand, at the

gate of our barracoon. At last, however, his confinement to bed

was announced, and every remedy within our knowledge applied

for relief. This time, however, the summons was peremptory :

the sentence was final; there was no reprieve.

On the morning of his death, the sufierer desired me to be

called, and, sending away the African nurse and the two old com-

rades who watched faithfully at his bedside, explained that ho

felt his end approaching, yet could not depart without easing his

soul by co7ifes'.ion !


"Here, Don Teodor," said he,

" are five ounces of gold-all I have saved in this world,

—the lees of my life,—vrhich 1

want 30U to take care of, and when I am dead send to my sister,

who is married to,in Matanzas. Will you promise ?

"

I promised." And now, Don Teodor," continued he,

" I must confess !"

I could not repress a smile as I replied,—"

But, Jose, I amno padre, you know

;a derigo is no part of a slave factory : I

cannot absolve your sins; and, as for my prayers, poor fellow,

alas ! what can they do for your sins when I fear they will hardlyavail for my own !

"

"It's all one, mi capitan^'' answered the dying man; "it

makes not the least difference, Don Teodor, if you are a clergy-

man or any thing else;

it is the law of our church;and when

confession is over, a man's soul is easier under canvas, even if

there's no regular padre at hand to loosen the ropes, and let

one's sins fly to the four winds of heaven. Listen,—it will be

short.

" It is many years since I sailed from Havana with that no-

torious slaver, Miguel ,whose murder you may have

heard of on the coast. Our vessel was in capital order for speedas well as cargo, and we reached Cape Mount after a quick voyage.The place, however, was so bare of slaves, that we coasted the

reefs till we learned from a Mesurado Krooman that, in less than

a month, the supply at Little Bassa would be abundant. "We

shipped the savage with his boatman, and next day reached our

destination.

"Miguel was welcomed warmly by the chiefs, who offered a

choice lot of negroes for a portion of our cargo, inviting the cap-

tain to tarry with the rest of his merchandise and establish a

factorv. He assented;our bria; was sent home with a short

cargo, while I and two others landed with the captain, to aid in

the erection and defence of the requisite buildings." It did not take long to set up our bambco houses and open

a trade, for whose supply Miguel began an intercourse with Cape

Mesurado, paying in doubloons and receiving his merchandise in

vessels manned by American blacks.

i


*' Our captain was no niggard in housekeeping. Bountiful

meals every day supplied bis friends and factory. No man wentfrom bis door hungry or dissatisfied. When the colonists came

up in their boats with goods, or walked the beach from the Capeto our settlement, Miguel was always alert with a welcome. Agreat intimacy, of course, ensued

; and, among the whole crowdof traffickers, none were higher in our chief's estimation than a

certain T,who rarely visited the barracoons without a

gift from Miguel, in addition to his stipulated pay." In due time the brig returned from Havana, with a cargo

of rum, tobacco, powder, and a box of doubloons ; but she wasordered to the Cape de Yerds to change her

flag. lu the interval,the Mesurado colonists picked a quarrel with the Trade-Townchiefs, and, aided by an American vessel, under Colombian colors,landed a division of colonial troops and destroyed the Spanishbarracoons.*

" The ruin of a Spanish factory could not be regarded by our

captain with any other feeling than that of resentment. Still,

he manifested his sensibility by coolness towards the colonists,

or by refraining from that profitable welcome to which they hadhitherto been accustomed. But the Monrovians were not to be

rebuffed by disdain. They had heard, I suppose, of the box of

doubloons, and Miguel was " a good fellow," in spite of his fri-

gidity. They were his friends for ever, and all the harm that hadbeen done his countrymen was attributable alone to their Colom-

bian foes, and not to the colonists. Such were the constant

declarations of the Monrovians, as they came, singly and in

squads, to visit us after the Trade-Town plunder. T,in

particular, was loud in his protestations of regard ;and such was

the earnestness of his manner, that Miguel, by degrees, restored

him to confidence."Thus, for a while, all things went smoothly, till T

reached our anchorage, with several passengers in his craft,

bound, as they said, to Grand Bassa. As usual on such visits,

the whole party dined with Miguel at four in the afternoon, and,

* The reader will recollect this is not Canot's story, but the sailor's.


at six, retired towards their vessel, with a gift of provisions and

liquor for their voyage." About eight o'clock, a knocking at our gates

—closed invari-

ably at dark, according to custom—gave notice that our recent

guests had returned. They craved hospitality for the night.

They had dallied a couple of hours on the beach, with the hopeof getting off, but the surf was so perilous that no Kroomenwould venture to convey them through the breakers.

" Such an appeal was, of course, enough for the heart of a

courteous Spaniard,—

and, on the coast, you know, it is impera-tive. Miguel opened the door, and, in an instant, fell dead on

the threshold, with a ball in his skull. Several guns were dis-

charged, and the house filled with colonists. At the moment of

attack I was busy in the barracoon ; but, as soon as I came

forth, the assailants approached in such numbers that I leapedthe barriers and hid myself in the forest till discovered by some

friendly natives.

" I remained with these Africans several weeks, while a canoe

was summoned from Gallinas for my rescue. From thence I

sailed to Cuba, and was the first to apprise our owners of the

piratical onslaught by which the factory had been destroyed." After this, I made several successful voyages to the coast

;

and, at last, sauntering one evening along the paseo at Havana, I

met Don Miguel's brother, who, after a sorrowful chat about the

tragedy, offered me a quarter-master's berth in a brig he was

fitting out for Africa. It was accepted on the spot." In a month we were off Mesurado, and cruised for several

days from the cape to Grand Bassa, avoiding every square-

rigged vessel that loomed above the horizon. At length, we

espied a small craft beating down the coast. We bore the stran-

ger company for several hours, till, suddenly taking advantage

of her long tack out to sea, we gave chase and cut off her return

towards land.

" It was a fine afternoon, and the sun was yet an hour in the

sky when we intercepted the schooner. As we ran alongside, I

thought I recognized the faces of several who, in days of old,

were familiar in our factory,—but what was my surprise, when

TWENTY VEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 381

T^ himself came to the gangway, and hailed us in

Spanish !

" I pointed out the miscreant to my comrade, and, in an in-

stant, he was in our clutches. We let the sun go down before

we contrived a proper death for the felon. His five companions

double-ironed, were nailed beneath the hatches in the hold.

After this, we riveted the murderer, in chains, to the mainmast,

and, for better security, fastened his spread arms to the deck by

spikes through his hands. Every sail was then set on the craft,

two barrels of tar were poured over the planks, and a brand was

thrown in the midst of the combustible materials. For a while,

the schooner was held by a hawser till we saw the flames spread

from stern to cut-water, and then, with a cheer, adios ! It was

a beautiful sight,—that autoda-fe on the sea, in the darkness !

" My confession, Don Teodor, is over. From that day, I

have never been within a church or alongside a padre ; but I

could not die without sending the gold to my sister, and begginga mass in some parish for the rest of my soul !

"

I felt very conscious that I was by no means the person to

afford ghostly consolation to a dying man under such circum-

stances, but while I promised to fulfil his request carefully, I

could not help inquiring whether he sincerely repented these

atrocious deeds ?

" Ah ! yes, Don Teodor, a thousand times ! Many a night,

when alone on my watch at sea, or in 3'onder stockade, marching

up and down before the barracoon, I have wept like a child for

the innocent crew of that little schooner; but, as for the mur-

derer of Don Miguel— .'

" He stared wildly for a minute into

my eyes—sTiuddered—fell back—was dead !

I have no doubt the outlaw's story contained exaggerations,

or fell from a wrecked mind that was drifting into eternity on

the current of delirium. I cannot credit his charge against the

Monrovian colonists; yet I recount the narrative as an illustra-

tion of many a bloody scene that has stained the borders of

Africa.

382 CAPTAIN canot: oe.

CHAPTER LXI.

During my first visit to Digby, I promised my trading friends^

perhaps rather rashly—that I would either return to their settle-

ment, or, at least, send merchandise and a clerk to establish a

factory. This was joyous news for the traffickers, and, accord-

ingly, I embraced an early occasion to despatch, in charge of a

clever young sailor, such stuffs as would be likely to tickle the

negro taste.

There were two towns at Digby, governed by cousins who

had always lived in harmony. My mercantile venture, however,

was unhappily destined to be the apple of discord between these

relatives. The establishment of so important an institution as a

slave-factory within the jurisdiction of the younger savage, gave

umbrage to the elder. His town could boast neither of " mer-

chandise " nor a " white man;

" there was no profitable tax to

he levied from foreign traffic; and, in a very short time, this

unlucky partiality ripened the noble kinsmen into bitter enemies.

It is not the habit in Africa for negroes to expend their

wrath in harmless words, so that preparations were soon made in

each settlement for defence as well as hostility. Both towns

were stockaded and carefully watched by sentinels, day and night.

At times, forays were made into each other's suburbs, but as the

chiefs were equally vigilant and alert, the extent of harm was the

occasional capture of women or children, as they wandered to

the forest and stream for wood and water.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 38S

This dalliance, however, did not suit the ardor of luy angryfavorite. After wasting a couple of months, he purchased tho

aid of certain bushmen, headed by a notorious scoundrel named

Jen-ken, who had acquired renown for his barbarous ferocity

throughout the neighborhood. Jen-ken and his chiefs were aui-

nibah, and never trod the war-path without a pledge to return

laden with human flesh to gorge their households.

Several assaults were made by this savage and his bushmen

on the dissatisfied cousin, but as they produced no significant

results, the barbarians withdrew to the interior. A truce

ensued. Friendly proposals were made by the younger to the

elder, and again, a couple of months glided by in seeming peace.

Just at this time business called me to Galliuas. On myway thither I looked in at Digby, intending to supply the dis-

pleased chieftain with goods and an agent if I found the establish-

ment profitable.

It was sunset when I reached the beach;

too late, of course,

to land my merchandise, so that I postponed furnishing both

places until the morning.'

As might fairly be expected, there

was abundant joy at my advent. The neglected rival was wild

with satisfaction at the report that he, too, at length was favored

with a " white-man." His " town "immediately became a

scene of unbounded merriment. Powder was burnt without stint.

Gallons of rum were distributed to both sexes;and dancing,

smoking and carousing continued till long after midnight, when

all stole ofif to maudlin sleep.

I About three in the morning, the sudden screams of womenand children aroused me from profound torpor ! Shrieks were

followed by volleys of musketry. Then came a loud tattoo

of knocks at my door, and appeals from the negro chief to rise

and fly.'• The town was besieged :

—the head-men were on the

point of escaping :—resistance was vain :

—they had been be-

trayed :—there were no fighters to defend the stockade !"

I was opening the door to comply with this advice, when myKroomcn, who knew the country's ways even better than I, dis-

suaded me from departing, with the confident assurance that our

assailants were unquestionably composed of the rival townsfolk,


who had only temporarily discharged the bushmen to deceive myentertainer. The Kroos insisted that I had nothing to fear. Wemight, they said, be seized and even imprisoned ;

but after a

brief detention, the captors would be glad enough to accept

our ransom. If we fled, we might be slaughtered by mistake.

I had so much confidence in the sense and fidelity of the

band that always accompanied me,—partly as boatmen and partly

as body guard,—that I experienced very little personal alarm

when I heard the shouts as the savages rushed through the town

murdering every one they encountered. In a few moments our

own door was battered down by the barbarians, and Jen-ken,

torch in hand, made his appearance, claiming us as prisoners.

Of course, we submitted without resistance, for although

fully armed, the odds were so great in those ante-revolver days,

that we would have been overwhelmed by a single wave of the

infuriated crowd. The barbarian chief instantly selected our

house for his headquarters, and despatched his followers to

complete their task. Prisoner after prisoner was thrust in.

At times the heavy mash of a war club and the cry of strangling

women, gave notice that the work of death was not yet ended.

But the night of horror wore away. The gray dawn crept

through our hovel's bars, and all was still save the groans of

wounded captives, and the wailing of women and children.

By degrees, the warriors dropped in around their chieftain.

A palaver-house, immediately in front of my quarters, was the

general rendezvous;and scarcely a bushman appeared without

the body of some maimed and bleeding victim. The mangledbut living captives were tumbled on a heap in the centre, and

soon, every avenue to the square was crowded with exulting

savages. Rum was brought forth in abundance for the chiefs.

Presently, slowly approaching from a distance, I heard the

drums, horns, and war-bells; and, in less than fifteen minutes, a

procession of women, whose naked limbs were smeared with chalk

and ochre, poured into the palaver-house to join the beastly rites.

Each of these devils was armed with a knife, and bore in her

hand some cannibal trophy. Jen-ken's wife,—a corpulent wench

of forty-five,—

dragged along the ground, by a single limb, the


Bliroy corpse of an infant ripped alive from its mother's womb.As her eyes met those of licr liusband the two fiends yelled forth

a shout of mutual joy, while the lifeless babe was tossed in the

air and caught as it descended on the point of a .spear. Thencame the refreshment^ in the shape of rum, powder, and blood,which was quaffed by the brutes till they reeled off, with linked

hands, in a wild dance around the pile of victims. As the

women leaped and sang, the men applauded and encouraged.Soon, the ring was broken, and, with a yell, each female leapedon the body of a wounded prisoner and commenced the final

sacrifice with the mockery of lascivious embraces !

In my wanderings in African forests I have often seen the.

tiger pounce upon its prey, and, with instinctive thirst, satiate

its appetite for blood and abandon the drained corpse ;but these

African negresses were neither as decent nor as merciful as the

beast of the wilderness. Their malignant pleasure seemed to

consist in the invention of tortures, that would agonize but not

slay. There was a devilish spell in the tragic scene that fasci-

nated my eyes to the spot. A slow, lingering, tormenting muti-

lation was practised on the living, as well as on the dead; and,

in every instance, the brutality of the women exceeded that of

the men. I cannot picture the hellish joy with which they pass-ed from body to body, digging out eyes, wrenching off lips,

tearing the ears, and slicing the flesh from the quivering bones;

while the queen of the harpies crept amid the butchery gatheringthe brains from each severed skull as a hoiinc boucJic for the ap-

proaching feast !

After the last victim yielded his life, it did not require longto kindle a fire, produce the requisite utensils, and fill the air

with the odor of human flesh. Yet, before the various messes

were half broiled, every mouth was tearing the dainty morsels

with shouts of joy, denoting the combined satisfaction of revengeand appetite ! In the midst of this appalling scene, I heard a

fresh cry of exultation, as a pole was borne into the apartment,on which was impaled the living body of the conquered chief-

tain's wife. A hole was quickly dug, the stave planted and

fagots supplied ;but before a fire could be kindled the wretched

17


woman was dead, so that the barbarians were defeated in their

hellish scheme of burning her alive.

I do not know how long these brutalities lasted, for I remem-

ber very little after this last attempt, except that the bushmen

packed in plantain leaves whatever flesh was left from the orgie,

to be conveyed to their friends in the forest. This was the

first time it tad been my lot to behold the most savage develop-

ment ofAfrican nature under the stimulus of war. The butch-

ery made me sick, dizzy, paralyzed. I sank on the earth benumbed

with stupor ;nor was I aroused till nightfall, when my Kroomen

bore me to the conqueror's town, and negotiated our redemptionfor the value of twenty slaves.


CHAPTER LXII.

I HOPE that no one will believe I lingered a moment in Digby,

or ever dealt again with its miscreants, after the dreadful catas-

trophe I have described in the last chapter. It is true that this

tragedy might never have happened within the territory of the

rival kinsmen had not the temptations of slave-trade been offered

to their passionate natures; yet the event was so characteristic,

not only of slave-war but of indigenous barbarity, that I dared

not withhold it in these sketches of my life.

Light was not gleaming over the tops of the forest next

morning before I was on the beach ready to embark for Gallinas.

But the moon was full, and the surf so high that my boat could

not be launched. Still, so great were my sufferings and disgust

that I resolved to depart at all hazards;and divesting myself

of my outer garments, I stepped into a native canoe with one

man only to manage it, and dashed through the breakers. Our

provisions consisted of three bottles of gin, a jug of water, and a

basket of raw cassava, while a change of raiment and my accounts

were packed in an air-tight keg. Rough as was the sea, we suc-

ceeded in reaching the neighborhood of Gallinas early next

morning. My Spanish friends on shore soon detected me with

their excellent telescopes, by my well-known cruising dress of

red flannel shirt and Panama hat; but, instead of running to

388 CAPTAIN canot; os,

the beach •with a welcome, they hoisted the black flag, which ia

ever a signal of warning to slavers.

My Krooman at once construed the telegraphic despatch as

an intimation that the surf was impassable. Indeed, the fact

was visible enough even to an uninstructed eye, as we approach-

ed the coast. For miles along the bar at the river's mouth, the

breakers towered up in tall masses, whitening the whole extent

of beach with foam. As our little canoe rose on the top of the

swell, outside the rollers, I could see my fnends waving their

hats towards the southward, as if directing my movements towards

Cape Mount.

In my best days on the coast I often swam in perilous seasons

a far greater distance than that which intervened betwixt my boat

and the shore. My companions at Gallinas well knew my dexteri-

ty in the water, and I could not comprehend, therefore, why theyforbade my landing, with so much earnestness. In fact, their zeal

somewhat nettled me, and I began to feel that dare-devil resistance

which often goads us to acts of madness which make us heroes if

successful, but fools if we fail.

It was precisely this temper that determined me to hazard the

bar; yet, as I rose on my knees to have a better view of the ap.

proaching peril, I saw the black flag thrice lowered in token of

adieu. Immediately afterward it was again hoisted over the

effigy of an enormous shark !

In a twinkling, I understood the real cause of danger, which

no alacrity or courage in the water could avoid, and comprehend-ed that my only hope was in the open sea. A retreat to CapeMount was a toilsome task for my weary Krooman, who had been

incessantly at work for twenty-four hours. Yet, there were but

two alternatives,—either to await the subsidence of the surf, or

the arrival of some friendly vessel. In the mean time, I eat mylast morsel of cassava, while the Krooman stretched himself in

the bottom of the canoe,—half in the water and half in the glaring

sun,—and went comfortably to sleep.

I steered the boat with a paddle, as it drifted along with tide

and current, till the afternoon, when a massive pile of clouds in*

the south-east gave warning of one of those tornadoes which de-


luge the coast of Africa in the months of March and April. Astout punch in the Kroomau's ribs restored him to consciousness

from his hydropathic sleep ;but he shivered as he looked at the

eky and beheld a token of that greatest misfortune that can befall

a negro,—a wet skin at sea from a shower of rain.

We broached our last bottle to battle the chillinfr element.

Had we been in company with other canoes, our first duty would

have been to lash the skiffs together so as to breast the gusts and

chopping sea with more security ;but as I was entirely alone, our

sole reliance was on the expert arm and incessant vigilance of

my companion.I will not detain the reader by explaining the simple process

that carried us happily through the deluge. By keeping the canoe

bow on, we nobly resisted the shock of every wave, and graduallyfell back under the impulse of each undulation. Thus we held on

till the heavy clouds discharged their loads, beating down the sea

and half filling the canoe with rain water. While the Krooman

paddled and steered, I conducted the bailing, and as the African

dipper was not sufficient to keep us free, I pressed my Panama hat

into service as an extra hand.

These savage squalls on the African coast, at the beginning of

the rainy season, are of short duration, so that our anxiety quicklyleft us to the enjoyment of soaking skins. A twist at my red

flannel relieved it of superabundant moisture, but as the negro

delighted in no covering except his flesh, an additional kiss of

the bottle was the only comfort I could bestow on his shivering

limbs.

This last dram was our forlorn hope, but it only created a

passing comfort, which soon went off leaving our bodies more chill

and dejected than before. My head swam with feverish empti-

ness. I seemed suddenly possessed by a feeling of wild indepen-

dence—seeing nothing, fearing nothing. Presently, this died

away, and I fell back in utter helplessness, wholly benumbed.

I do not remember how long this stupor lasted, but I was

aroused by the Krooman with the report of a laud breeze, and a

sail which he declared to be a cruiser. It cost me considerable

effort to shake off my lethargy, nor do I know whether I woxild


have succeeded had there not heen a medical magic in the idea of

a man-of-war, which flashed athwart my mind a recollection of the

slave accounts in our keg !

I had hardly time to throw the implement overboard before

the craft was within hail;but instead of a cruiser she turned out

to be a slaver, destined, like myself, for Gallinas. A warm wel-

come awaited me in the cabin, and a comfortable bed with plenty

of blankets restored me for a while to health, though in all likeli-

hood my perilous flight from Digby and its horrors, will ache

rheumatically in my limbs till the hour of my death.

It was well that I did not venture through the breakers on the

day that the dead shark was hoisted in terrorem as a telegraph.

Such was the swarm of these monsters in the surf of Grallinas,

that more than a hundred slaves had been devoured by them in

attempting a shipment a few nights before !

TWENTY TBAES OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 391

CHAPTER LXIII.

"Don Pedro Blanco had left Gallinas,—a retired millionnaire / "

When I heard this announcement at the factory, I could with

difficulty restrain the open expression of my sorrow. It confirm-

ed me in a desire that for some time had been strengtheningin my mind. Years rolled over my head since, first of all, I

plunged accidentally into the slave trade. My passion for a rovinglife and daring adventure was decidedly cooled. The late bar-

barities inflicted on the conquered in a war of which I was the in-

voluntary cause, appalled me with the traffic;and humanity called

louder and louder than ever for the devotion of my remaining

days to honest industry.

As I sailed down the coast to restore a child to his father,—

the King of Cape Mount,—I was particularly charmed with the

bold promontory, the beautiful lake, and the lovely islands, that

are comprised in this enchanting region. When I delivered the

boy to his parent, the old man's gratitude knew no bounds for

hisoff"spring's redemption from slavery. Every thing was ten-

dered for my recompense; and, as I seemed especially to enjoy the

delicious scenery of his realm, he ofiFered me its best location as a

gift, if I desired to abandon the slave trade and establish a laio-

ful factory.

I made up my mind on the spot that the day should comewhen I would be lord and master of Cape Mount; and, nestling

under the lee of its splendid headland, might snap my fingers at


the cruisers. Still I could not, at once, retreat from my estab-

lishment at New Sestros. Don Pedro's departure was a sore dis-

appointment, because it left my accounts unliquidated and my re-

lease from the trade dependent on circumstances. Nevertheless,

I resolved to risk his displeasure by quitting the factory for a

time, and visiting him at Havana after a trip to England.

It was in the summer of 1839 that I arranged my affairs for

a long absence, and sailed for London in the schooner Gil Bias.

"We had a dull passage till we reached the chops of the British

Channel, whence a smart south-wester drove us rapidly towards our

destination.

Nine at night was just striking from the clocks of Dover when

a bustle on deck, a tramping of feet, a confused sound of alarm,

orders, obedience and anxiety, was followed by a tremendous crash

which prostrated me on the cabin floor, whence I bounded, with a

single spring, to the deck. " A steamer had run us down !

"

Aloft, towered a huge black wall, while the intruder's cut-water

pressed our tiny craft almost beneath the tide. There was no

time for deliberation. The steamer's headway was stopped. The

Gil Bias, like her scapegrace godfather, was in peril of sinking;

and as the wheels began to revolve and clear the steamer from

our wreck, every one scrambled in the best way he could on board

the destroyer.

Our reception on this occasion by the British lion was not

the most respectful or hospitable that might be imagined. In fact,

no notice was taken of us by these " hearts of oak," till a clever

Irish soldier, who happened to be journeying to Dublin, invited

us to the forward cabin. Our mate, however, would not listen to

the proposal, and hastening to the quarter-deck, coarsely upbraid-

ed the steamer's captain with his misconduct, and demanded suit-

able accommodations for his wounded commander and passen-

gers.

In a short time the captain of the Gil Bias and I were con-

ducted to the "gentlemen's cabin," and as I was still clad in the


thin cotton undress in which I was embarking for the land of

dreams, when the accident occurred, a shirt and trowscrs were

handed me fresh from the slop-shop. When my native servant

appeared in the cabin, a shower of coppers greeted him from the

passengers.

Next morning we were landed at Cowes, and as the steward

claimed the restitution of a pair of slippers in which I had encased

my toes, I was forced to greet the loyal earth of England with

bare feet as well as uncovered head. Our sailors, however, were

better off. In the forecastle they had fallen into the hands of

Samaritans. A profusion of garments was furnished for all their

wants, while a subscription, made up among the soldiers and wo.

men, supplied them with abundance of coin for their journey to

London.

An economical life in Africa, and a series of rather profitable

voyages, enabled me to enjoy my wish to see London, "above

stairs as well as below."

I brought with me from Africa a body servant named Lunes,

an active youth, whose idea of city-life and civilization had been

derived exclusively from glimpses of New Sestros and Galliuas.

I fitted him out on my arrival in London as a fashionable "tiger,"

with red waistcoat, corduroy smalls, blue jacket and gold baud;

and trotted him after me wherever I went in search of diversion.

It may be imagined that I was vastly amused by the odd remarks

and the complete amazement, with which this savage greeted

every object of novelty or interest. After he became somewhat

acquainted with the streets of London, Lunes occasionally made

explorations on his own account, yet he seldom came back with-

out a tale that showed the African to have been quite as much a

curiosity to the cockneys as the cockneys were to the darkey.

It happened just at this time that " Jim Crow " was the rage

at one of the minor theatres, and as I felt interested to know how

the personification would strike the boy, I sent him one night to

the gallery with orders to return as soon as the piece was con-

cluded. But the whole night passed without the appearance of

17*

394 CAPTAIN CANOT; OK,

my valet. Next morning I became anxious about his fate, and

after waiting in vain till noon, I employed a reliable officer tc

search for the negro, without disclosing the fact of his servitude.

In the course of a few hours poor Lunes was brought to mein a most desolate condition. His clothes were in rags, and his

gold-lace gone. It appeared that " Jim Crow " had outraged his

sense of African character so greatly that he could not restrain

his passion ;but vented it in the choicest billingsgate with which

his vocabulary had been furnished in the forecastle of the " Gil

Bias." His criticism of the real Jim was by no means agree-

able to the patrons of the fictitious one. In a moment there was

a row;and the result was, that Lunes after a thorough dilapida-

tion of his finery, departed in custody of the police, more, how-

ever, for the negro's protection than his chastisement.

The loss of his dashing waistcoat, and the sound thrashing he

received at the hands of a London mob while asserting the

dignity of his country, and a night in the station house, spoiled

my boy's opinion of Great Britain. I could not induce him

afterwards to stir from the house without an escort, nor would he

believe that every policeman was not specially on the watch to

apprehend him. I was so much attached to the fellow, and his

sufi"erings became so painful, that I resolved to send him back to

Africa;nor shall I ever forget his delight when my decision was

announced. The negro's joy, however, was incomprehensible to

my fellow-lodgers, and especially to the gentle dames, who could

not believe that an African, whose liberty was assured in Eng-

land, would voluntarily return to Africa and slavery !

One evening, just before his departure, Lunes was sternly

tried on this subject in my presence in the parlor, yet nothing

could make him revoke his trip to the land of palm-trees and

malaria. London was too cold for him;

—he hated stockings ;—shoes were an abomination !

"Yet, tell me, Lunes," said one of the most bewitching of

my fair friends,—" how is it that you go home to be a slave,

when you may remain in London as a freeman ?"

I will repeat his answer—divested of its native gibberish :

"Yes, Madam, I go

—because I like my country best;

if 1


am to be a slave or work, I want to do so for a true Spaniard.

I don't like this thing, Miss,"—pointing to his shirt collar,—''

it

cuts my cars;

—I don't like this thing"—

pointing to his trowsers;

" I like my country's fashion better than yours ;

"—and, taking

out a large handkerchief, he gave the inquisitive dame a rapid

demonstration of African economy in concealing nakedness, by

twisting it round those portions of the human frame which

modesty is commonly in the habit of hiding !

There was a round of applause and a blaze of blushes at this

extemporaneous pantomime, which Luncs concluded with the

assurance that he especially loved his master, because,—" when

he grew to be a proper man, I would give him plenty of wives!"

I confess that my valet's philanthropic audience was not

exactly prepared for this edifying culmination in favor of Africa;

but, while my friends were busy in obliterating the red and the

wrinkles from their cheeks, I took the liberty to enjoy, from

behind the shadow of my tea cup, the manifest disgust they felt

for the bad taste of poor Lunea 1

396

CHAPTEELXIV.

By this time my curiosity was not only satiated by the diversions

of the great metropolis, but I had wandered off to the countryand visited the most beautiful parts of the islands. Two months

thus slipped by delightfully in Great Britain when a sense of

duty called me to Havana; yet, before my departure, I resolved,

if possible, to secure the alliance of some opulent Englishman to

aid me in the foundation and maintenance of lawful commerce at

Cape Mount. Such a person I found in Mr. George Clevering

Redman, of London, who owned the Gil Bias, which, with two

other vessels, he employed in trade between England and Africa.

I had been introduced to this worthy gentleman as " a lawful

trader on the coast," still, as I did not think that business rela-

tions ought to exist between us while he was under so erroneous

an impression, I seized an early opportunity to unmask myself. At

the same time, I announced my unalterable resolution to-abandon

a slaver's life for ever;

to establish a trading post at some fortu-

nate location; and, while I recounted the friendship and peculiar

bonds between the king and myself, offered to purchase Cape

Mount from its African proprietor, if such an enterprise should

be deemed advisable.

Redman was an enterprising merchant. He heard my

proposal with interest, and, after a few days' consideration, as-

TWKNTY YEAHS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 397

eentcd to a negotiation, as soon as I gave proofs of havingabandoned the slave trafi&c for ever. It was understood that no

contract was to be entered into, or document signed, till I was at

liberty to withdraw completely from Don Pedro Blanco and all

others concerned with him. This accomplished, I was to revisit

England and assume my lawful functions.

When I landed in the beautiful Queen of the Antilles I found

Don Pedro in no humor to accede to these philanthropic notions.

The veteran slaver regarded nae, no doubt, as a sort of cross

between a fool and zealot. An American vessel had been recently

chartered to carry a freight to the coast; and, accordingly, instead

of receiving a release from servitude, I was ordered on board the

craft as supercargo of the enterprise ! In fact, on the third dayafter my arrival at Havana, I was forced to re-embark for the

coast without a prospect of securing my independence.

The reader may ask why I did not burst the bond, and free

myself at a word from a commerce with which I was disgusted ?

The question is natural—but the reply is human. I had too

large an unliquidated interest at New Sestros, and while it

remained so, I was not entitled to demand from my employer a

final settlement for my years of labor. In other words I was in

his power, so far as my means were concerned, and my services

were too valuable to be surrendered by him voluntarily.

A voyage of forty-two days brought me once more to New

Sestros, accompanied by a couple of negro women, who paid

their passage and were lodged very comfortably in the steerage.

The elder was about forty and extremely corpulent, while her

companion was younger as well as more comely.

This respectable dame, after an absence of twenty-four years,

returned to her native Gallinas, on a visit to her father, king

Shiakar. At the age of fifteen, she had been taken prisoner and

sent to Havana. A Cuban confectioner purchased the likely

girl, and, for many years, employed her in hawking his cakos and

pies. In time she became a favorite among the townsfolk, and,


by degrees, managed to accumulate a sufficient amount to pur-chase her freedom. Years of frugality and thrift made her pro-

prietor of a house in the city and an egg-stall in the market,when chance threw in her way a cousin, lately imported from

Africa, who gave her news of her father's family. A quarter of

a century had not extinguished the natural fire in this negro's

lieart, and she immediately resolved to cross the Atlantic and

behold once more the savage to whom she owed her birth.

I sent these adventurous women to Gallinas by the earliest

trader that drifted past New Sestros, and learned that they were

welcomed among the islands with all the ceremony common

among Africans on such occasions. Several canoes were de-

spatched to the vessel, with flags, tom-toms, and horns, to receive

and welcome the ladies. On the shore, a procession was formed,and a bullock off"ered to the captain in token of gratitude for his

attention.

When her elder brother was presented to the retired egg-

merchant, he extended his arms to embrace his kinswoman; but,

to the amazement of all, she drew back with a mere offer of her

hand, refusing every demonstration of affection till he should

appear dressed with becoming decency. This rebuke, of course,

kept the rest of her relatives at bay, for there was a sad defi-

ciency of trowsers in the gang, and it was the indispensable gar-

ment that caused so unsisterly a reception.

But Shiakar's daughter, travelled as she was, could neither

set the fashions nor reform the tastes of Gallinas. After a so-

journ of ten days, she bade her kindred an eternal adieu, and

returned to Havana, disgusted with the manners and customs

of her native land.

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLi»VER. 309

CHAPTEK LXV.

Ox my return to New Sestros, I found that the colonial author-

ities of Liberia had been feeling the pulse of my African friend,

Freeman, in order to secure the cooperation of that distinguished

personage in the suppression of the slave traflBc. Freeman pro-

fessed his willingness to conclude a treaty of commerce and

amity with Governor Buchanan, but respectfully declined to

molest the factories within his domain.

Still, Buchanan was not to be thwarted by a single refusal,

and enlisted the sympathy of an officer in command of a United

States cruiser, who accompanied the governor to the anchorage

at New Sestros. As soon as these personages reached their des-

tination, a note was despatched to the negro potentate, desiring

him to expel from his territory all Spaniards who were possessed

of factories. To this, it is said, the chief returned a short and

tart rebuke for the interference with his independence ;where-

upon the following singular missive was immediately delivered

to the Spaniards :—

"U. S. Brio Dolpuix,

"New Sestkos, March C, 1840.

"Sir:" I address you in consequence of having received a

note from you a few evenings since;but I wish it to be under-

4(»0 CAPTAIN canot; or.

stood that this communication is intended for all or any persons

who are now in New Sestros, engaged in the slave-trade.

" I have received information that you now have, in yourestablishments on shore, several hundred negroes confined in bar-

racoons,, waiting for an opportunity to ship them. Whether youare Americans, English, French, Spaniards, or Portuguese, youare acting in violation of the established laws of your respective

countries, and, therefore, are not entitled to any protection from

your governments. You have placed yourselves beyond the

protection of any civilized nation, as you are engaged in a traffic

which has been made piracy by most of the Christian nations

of the world." As I have been sent by my government to root out, if pos-

sible, this traffic on and near our settlements on the coast, I

must now give you notice, that you must break up your estab-

lishment at this point, in two weeks from this date; failing to do

60, I shall take such measures as I conceive necessary to attain

this object. I will thank you to send a reply to this communi-

cation immediately, stating your intentions, and also sending an

account of the number of slaves you have on hand." I am, &c., &c., &c.,

" Charles R. Bell,"Lieut. Com. IT. S. Naval Fprcc.% Coast of Africa.

" To Mr. A. Demer and others," Xew Sesteos, Coast of Africa."

I do not know what reply was made to this communication,

as a copy was not retained;but when my clerk handed me the

original letter from Lieutenant Bell, on my arrival from Cuba

I lost no time in forwarding the following answer to Col. Hicks

at Monrovia, to be despatched by him to the American officer :

" To Charles R. Bell, Esq.," lAeut. Com. of the U. S. Forces, Coast of Africa, Monrovia,

"New Sestros. April 2, 1840." Sir :

" Your letter of the 6th March, directed to the white

residents of New Sestros, was handed me on my return to this


country, and I am sorry I can make but the following short

answer."First, sir, you seem to assume a supremacy over the most

civilized nations of the world, and, under the doubtful pretext

of your nation's authorit}', threaten to land and destroy our pro-

perty on these neutral shores. Next, you are pleased to inform

us that all Christian nations have declared the slave-trade

piracy, and that we are not entitled to any protection from our

government. Why, then, do the Southern States of your greatr.nfederacy allow slavery, public auctions, transportation from

one State to another,—not only of civilized black native subjects,—but of nearly white, American, Christian citizens ? Such is

the case in your free and independent country ; and, though the

slave trade is carried on in the United States of America with

more brutality than in any other colony, I still hope you are f

Christian !

" To your third article, wherein you observe, having" been

sent by your government to root out this traffic, if possible, near

your own settlements on the coast,"—allow me to have my doubts

of such orders. Your government could not have issued them

without previously making them publicly known;

—and, permit

me to say, those Christian nations you are pleased to mention,

are not aware that your nation had set up colonies on the coast

of Africa. They were always led to believe that these Liberian

settlements were nothing but Christian beneficial societies,

humanely formed by private philanthropists, to found a refuge

for the poor blacks born in America, who cannot be protected in

their native country by the free and independent laws and insti-

tutions of the United States. •

" If my argument cannot convince you that you are not justi-

fied in molesting a harmless people on these desolate shores,

allow me to inform you that, should you put your threats in exe-

cution and have the advantage over us, many factories would suf-

fer by your unjust attack, which would give them an indisputable

right to claim high damages from your government." Most of the white residents here, are, and have been,

friendly to Americans at large ;some have been educated in


your country, and it would be the saddest day of their lives, if

obliged to oppose by force of arms the people of a nation tliey

love as much as their own countrymen. The undersigned, in

particular, would wish to observe that the same spirit that led

him to avenge Governor Findley's murder, will support him in

defence of his property, though much against his inclination.

" I remain, very respectfully," Your obedient servant,

" Theodore Canot."

This diplomatic encounter terminated the onslaught. Bu-

chanan, who was over hasty with military display on most oc-

casions, made a requisition for volunteers to march against

New Sestros. But the troops were never set in motion. In

the many years of my residence in the colonial neighborhood,

this was the only occasion that menaced our friendship or

verged upon hostilities.

Whilst I was abroad in England and Cuba, my charge

dfaffaires at New Sestros sent off a cargo of three hundred

negroes, nearly all of whom were safely landed in the West

Indies, bringing us a profit of nine thousand dollars. There

were, however, still one hundred and fifty in our barracoons to

be shipped ; and, as the cargo from the Crawford was quickly

exchanged with the natives for more slaves, in two months' time,

I found my pens surcharged with six hundred human beings.

Two other neighboring factories were also crammed; while,

unfortunately, directly in front of us, a strong reinforcement of

British men-ofwar kept watch and ward to prevent our de-

pletion.

No slaver dared show its topsails above the horizon. The

season did not afford us supplies from the interior. Very few

coasters looked in at New Sestros; and, as our stock of grain

and provisions began to fail, the horrors of famine became the

sole topic of conversation among our alarmed factors.


It will readily be supposed that every effort was made, not

only to economize our scanty stores, but to increase them

throuch the intervention of boats that were sent far and wide to

scour the coast for rice and cassava. Double and triple prices

were offered for these articles, yet our agents returned without

the required supplies. In fact, the free natives themselves were

in danger of starvation, and while they refused to part with

their remnants, even under the temptation of luxuries, they

sometimes sent deputations to my settlement in search of

food.

By degrees I yielded to the conviction that I must diminish

my mouths. First of all, I released the old and feeble from the

barracoon. This, for a few days, afforded ample relief; but, as

I retained only the staunchest, the remaining appetites speedily

reduced our rations to a single meal per diem. At last, the

steward reported, that even this allowance could be continued

for little more than a week. In twelve days, at farthest, my re-

sources would be utterly exhausted.

In this extremity I summoned a council of neighboring

chiefs, and exposing my situation, demanded their opinion as to

a fitting course on the dreaded day. I had resolved to retain myblacks till the last measure was distributed, and then to liberate

them to shift for themselves.

But the idea of releasing six hundred famishing foemen

struck the beach people with horror. It would, they said, be a

certain source of war and murder;and they implored me not

to take such a step till they made every effort to ease my bur-

den. As a beginning, they proposed at once relieving the barra-

coon of a large portion of females and of all the male youths,

who were to be fed and guarded by them, on my account, till

better times.

By this system of colonizing I got rid of the support of two

hundred and tweuty-five negroes; and, as good luck would have

it, a visit from a friendly coaster enabled me, within ten days,

to exchange my beautiful cutter" Euth "

for a cargo of rice from

the colony at Cape Palmas.

It was fortunate that in a week after this happy relief the

404 CAPTAIN CANOT; OR

British cruisers left our anchorage for a few days. No soonei

were they off, than a telegraph of smoke, which, in those days,

was quite as useful on the African coast, as the electric is on

ours, gave notice to the notorious " Volador." There was joyin the teeming factories when her signal was descried in the

oflSng ; and, before the following dawn, seven hundred and forty-

nine human beings, packed within her one hundred and sixty-five

tons, were on their way to Cuba.

This was the last cargo of slaves I ever shijpjped !

TWENTJr YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 405

CHAPTER LXVI.

When the thought struck me of abandoning the slave-trade, and

I had resolved to follow out the good impulse, I established a

store in the neighborhood of my old barracoo7is with the designof trafficking in the produce of industry alone. This concern

was intrusted to the management of a clever young colonist.

It was about this time that the British brig of war Ter-

magant held New Sestros in permanent blockade, forbidding even

a friendly boat to communicate with my factory. Early one

morning I was called to witness a sturdy chase between my scold-

ing foe and a small sail which was evidently running for the shore

in order to save her crew by beaching. The British bull dog,

however, was not to be deterred by the perils of the surf; and,

holding on with the tenacity of fate, pursued the stranger, till

he discovered that a large reinforcement of armed natives was

arrayed on the strand ready to protect the fugitives. Accord-

ingly, the Englishmen refrained from assailing the mariners,

and confined their revenge to the destruction of the craft.

As this affray occurred within gunshot of my lawful factory,

I hastened to the beach under the belief that some of my em-

ployes had unluckily fallen into a difficulty with the natives. But

on my arrival I was greeted by a well-known emissary from our

headquarters at Gallinas, who bore a missive imparting the Vola-

dor's arrival in Cuba with six hundred and eleven of her people.

The letter furthermore apprised me that Don Pedro, who per-

406 CAPTAIN canot; oh,

sisted in sending merchandise to my slave factory, still declined

my resignation as his agent, but acknowledged a credit in his

chest of thirteen thousand .dollars for my commissions on the

Volador's slaves. Here, then, were Confidence and Temptationboth resolutely proffered to lure me back to my ancient habits !

I was busily engaged on the sands, enforcing from the

negroes a restitution of clothes to the plundered postman, when

the crack of a cannon, higher up the beach, made me fear that an

aggression was being committed against my homestead. Before

I could depart, however, two more shots in the same quarterleft me no room to doubt that the Termagant was talking most

shrewishly with my factory at New Sestros.

I reached the establishment with all convenient speed, only

to find it full of natives, who had been brought to the spot from

the interior by the sound of a cannonade. The following letter

from the captain of the man-of-war, it seems, had been landed in

a fishing canoe very soon after my departure in the morning, and

the shots, I suppose, were discharged to awake my attention

to its contents,

" Her Beitaxnio Majesty's Ship Termagant," O^New Sesxeos, Nov. 5, 1840.

" Sir :

" The natives or Kroomen of your settlement having

this day fired on the boats of Her B. M. ship under my com-

mand, while in chase of a Spanish boat with seven men going to

New Sestros, I therefore demand the persons who fired on the

boats, to answer for the same; and, should this demand not be

complied with, I shall take such steps as I deem proper to secure

satisfaction.

*' I have addressed you on this occasion, judging by the

interference of those blacks in your behalf, that they are insti

gated by you." I have the honor to be, sir, your obed't serv't,

" H. F, Seagram,"lAeut. Com.

"To Mr. T. Caxot,

K"bw Sestros."

TWENTY YKAR8 OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER,. 407

When this cartel fell into my hands it lacked but an hour of

Bunset. The beach was alive with angry rollers, while the Ter-

magant was still under easy sail, hovering up and down tlic coast

before my factory, evidently meditating the propriety of auotlier

pill to provoke my notice.

I sat down at once and wrote a sort of model response, pro-

mising to come on board bodily next morning to satisfy the lieu-

tenant of my innocence;but when I inquired for a Mercury to

bear my message, there was not a Krooman to be found willing to

face either the surf or the British sailor. Accordingly, there was

no alternative but to suffer my bamboo barracootis and factory to

be blown about my ears by the English vixen, or to face the

danger, in person, and become the bearer of my own message.

The proposal sounded oddly enough in the ears of the Kroo-

men, who, in spite of their acquaintance with my hardihood,

could scarcely believe I would thrust my head into the very

jaws of the lion. Still, they had so much confidence in the

judgment displayed by white men on the coast, that I had little

difl&culty in engaging the boat and services of a couple of sturdy

chaps : and, stripping to my drawers, so as to be ready to swim

in the last emergency, I committed myself to their care.

We passed the dangerous surf in safety, and in a quarter of an

hour were alongside the Termagant, whose jolly lieutenant could

not help laughing at the drenched xuiiform, m which I saluted

him at the gangway. Slaver as 1 was, he did not deny me the

rites of hospitality. Dry raiment and a consoling glass were

speedily supplied ;and with the reassured stamina of my im-

proved condition,- it may readily be supposed I was not long in

satisfying the worthy Mr. Seagram that I had no concern in the

encounter betwixt the natives and his boats. To clinch the ar-

gument I assured the lieutenant that I was not only guiltless of

the assault, hut had made up my mind irrevocably to abandon

the slave trade !

I suppose there was as much rejoicing that night on board

the Termagant over the redeemed slaver, as there is in most

churches over a rescued sinner. It was altogether too late and

too dark for me to repeat the perils of the surf and sharks, so


that I willingly accepted the offer of a bed, and promised to ac-

company Seagram in the morning to the prince.

Loud were the shouts of amazement and fear when the no

groes saw me landing next day, side by side, in pleasant chat,

with an officer, who, eighteen hours before, had been busy about

my destruction. It was beyond their comprehension how an

Englishman could visit my factory under such circumstances, nor

could they divine how I escaped, after my voluntary surrender on

board a cruiser. When the prince saw Seagram seated familiarly

under my verandah, he swore that I must have some powerful

fetiche or juju to compel the confidence of enemies;but his

wonder became unbounded when the officer proposed his entire

abandonment of the slave trade, a7id I supported the lieutenants

proposal !

I have hardly ever seen a man of any hue or character, so

sorely perplexed as our xlfrican was by this singular suggestion. To

stop the slave trade, unless by compulsion, was, in his eyes, the

absolute abandonment of a natural appetite or function. At first,

he believed we were joking. It was inconceivable that I, who for

years had carried on the traffic so adroitly, could be serious in the

idea. For half an hour the puzzled negro walked up and down the

verandah, muttering to himself, stopping, looking at both of us,

hesitating, and laughing,—till at last, as he afterwards confessed,

he concluded that I was only"deceiving the Englishman,''''

and came forward with an offer to sign a treaty on the spot for

the extinction of the traffic.

Now the reader must bear in mind that I allowed the prince

to mislead himself through his natural duplicity on this occasion,

as I was thereby enabled to bring him again in contact with Sea-

gram, and secure the support of British officers for my own

purposes.

In a few days the deed was done. The slave trade at NewSestros was formallj'^ and for ever abolished by the prince and

myself As I was the principal mover in the affair, I voluntarily

surrendered to the British officer on the day of signature, one

hundred slaves; in return for which I was guarantied the safe

removed of my valuable merchandise and property from the

settlement.


It was a very short time after I had made all snug at NewSestros that misfortune fell suddenly on our parent nest at Galli-

nas. The Hon. Joseph Denman, who was senior ofBcer of the

British squadron on the coast, unexpectedly landed two hundred

men, and burnt or destroyed all the Spanish factories amid the

laguues and islets. By this uncalculated act of violence, the na-

tives of the neighborhood were enabled to gorge themselves with

property that was valued, I understand, at a very large sum.

An eveat like this could not escape general notice along the

African coast, and in a few days I began to hear it rumored and

discussed among the savages in my vicinity.

For a while it was still a mystery why /escaped while Galli-

nas fell;but at length the sluggish mind of Pi-ince Freeman be-

gan to understand my diplomacy, and, of course, to repent the

sudden contract that deprived him of a right to rob me. Vexed

by disappointment, the scoundrel assembled his minor chiefs,

and named a day during which he knew the Termagant would be

absent, to plunder and punish me for my interference with the

welfare and " institutions"of his country. The hostile meeting

took place without my knowledge, though it was disclosed to all

my domestics, whose silence the prince had purchased. Indeed,I would have been completely surprised and cut off, Jiad it not

been for the friendly warning of the negro whose life 1 hadsaved fro7n the saucy-wood ordeal.

I still maintained iu my service five white men, and four sail-

ors who were wrecked on the coast and awaited a passage home.

With this party and a few household negroes on whom reliance

might be placed, I resolved at once to defend my quarters. Mycannons were loaded, guards placed, muskets and cartridges dis-

tributed, and even the domestics supplied with weapons ; yet,

on the very night after the warning, every slave abandoned mypremises, while even Lunes himself,

—the companion of my jour-

ney to London, and pet of the ladies,—

decamped with my favor-

ite fowling-piece.

When I went my rounds next morning, I was somewhat dis-

heartened by appearances ;but my spirits were quickly restored

by the following letter from Seagram :

18


" Hek B. M. Brig Teemagant, off Tkade-town,

23o? January, 1841."

Sir," In your letter of yesterday, you request protection for youi

property, and inform me that you are in danger from the princes.

I regret, indeed, that such should he the case, more especially as

they have pledged me their words, and signed a " hook "to the

effect that they would never again engage in the slave traffic.

But, as Ifind you have acted in good faith since I commenced

to treat loith you on the subject^ I shall affo.d you every assist-

ance in my power, and will land an armed party of twenty men

before daylight on Monday."I am. Sir, your obt. servt.,

" H. F. Seagram, Lieut. Com'g."

The Termagant's unlooked-for return somewhat dismayed the

prince and his ragamuffins, though he had contrived to assemble

quite two thousand men about my premises. Towards noon,

however, there were evident signs of impatience for the expected

booty ; still, a wholesome dread of my cannon and small-arms,

together with the cruiser's presence, prevented an open attack.

After a while I perceived an attempt to set my stockade on fire,

and as a conflagration would have given a superb Opportunity to

rob, I made the concerted signal for our British ally. In a twin-

kling, three of the cruiser's boats landed an officer with twenty-five musketeers, and before the savages could make the slightest

show of resistance, I was safe under the bayonets of Saint

George !

It is needless to set forth the details of my rescue. The prince

and his poltroons were panic-struck ;and in three or four days

my large stock of powder and merchandise was embarked with-

out loss for Monrovia.

TWENTY yBAUS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 4 1 1

CHAPTER LXVII.

My barracoons and trading establishments were now totally de-

stroyed, and I was once more afloat in the world. It imme-

diately occurred to me that no opportunity would, perhaps, be

more favorable to carry out my original designs upon Cape

Mount, and when I sounded Seagram on the subject, he was not

only willing to carry me there in his cruiser, but desired to wit-

ness my treaty with the prince for a cession of territory.

Our adieus to New Sestros were not very painful, and on the

cveninf of the same day the Termagant hove to off the bold and

beautiful hills of Cape Mount. As the breeze and sun sank to-

gether, leaving a brilliant sky in the west, we descried from deck

a couple of tall, raking masts relieved like cobwebs against the

azure. From aloft, still more of the craft was visible, and

from our lieutenant's report after a glance through his glass,

there could be no doubt that the stranger was a slaver.

Light as was the breeze, not a moment elapsed before the

cruiser's jib was turned towards her natural enemy. For a while

an ebb from the river and the faint night wind off shore, forced

us seaward, yet at daylight we had gained so little on the chase,

that she was still full seven miles distant.

They who are familiar with naval life will appreciate the an-

noying suspense on the Termagant when dawn revealed the calm

41? CAPTAIN canot; or,

sea, quiet sky, and tempting but imapproaclaable prize. The

well-known pluck of our British tars was fired by the alluring

vision, and nothing was heard about decks but prayers for a puff

and whistling for a breeze. Meanwhile, Seagram, the surgeon,and purser were huddled together on the quarter, cursing a calm

which deprived them of prize-money if not of promotion. Ourmaster'smate and passed midshipman were absent in some of the

brig's boats cruising off Gallinas or watching the roadstead of

New Sestros.

The trance continued till after breakfast, when our officers'

impatience could no longer withstand the bait, and, though short

of efficient boats, the yawl and lieutenant's gig were manned for

a hazardous enterprise. The former was crammed with six sail-

ors, two marines, and a supernumerary mate;while the gig, a

mere fancy. craft, was packed with five seamen and four marines

under Seasram himself. Just as this flotilla shoved off, a rough

boatswain begged leave to fit out my nutshell of a native canoe;

and embarking with a couple of Kroomen, he squatted amidships,

armed with a musket and cutlass !

This expedition exhausted our stock of nautical men so com-

pletely, that as Seagram crossed the gangway he commended the

purser and surgeon to my care, and left Her Majesty's brig in

charge of the reformed slaver !

No sooner did the chase perceive our manoeuvre, than, run-

ning in her sweeps, she hoisted a Spanish flag and fired a warn-

ing cartridge. A faint hurrah answered the challenge, while our

argonauts kept on their way, till, from deck, they became lost

below the horizon. Presently, however, the boom of another

gun, followed by repeated discharges, rolled through the quiet

air from the Spaniard, and the look-out aloft reported our boats

in retreat. Just at this moment, a light breeze gave headway to

the Termagant, so that I was enabled to steer towards the prize,

but before I could overhaul our warriors, the enemy had received

the freshening gale, and, under every stitch of canvas, stood

rapidly to sea.

When Seagram regained his deck, he was bleeding profusely

from a wound in the head received from a handspike while at

TWENTY YEARS 01 AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 413

tempting to board. Besides this, two men were missing, while

three had been seriously wounded by a shot that sunk the yawl.

My gallant boatswain, however, returned unharmed, and, if I maybelieve the commander of the "

Serea,"—whom I encountered

some time after,—this daring sailor did more execution with his

musket than all the marines put together. The Kroo canoo

dashed alongside with the velocity of her class, and, as a pettyofficer on the Spaniard bent over to sink the skiflF with a ponder-ous top-block, our boatswain cleft his skull with a musket-ball,

and brought home the block as a trophy ! In fact, Seagram con-

fessed that the Spaniard behaved magnanimously ;for the moment

our yawl was sunk, Olivares cut adrift his boat, and bade the

struggling swimmers return in it to their vessel.

I have described this little affray not so much for its interest,

but because it illustrates the vicissitudes of coast-life and the ra-

pidity of their occurrence. Here was I, on the deck of a British

man-of-war. in charge of her manoeuvres while in chase of a Span-

iard, who, for aught I knew, might have been consigned to mefor slaves ! I gave my word to Seagram as he embarked, to

manage his ship, and had I attained a position that would have

enabled me to sink the "Serea," I would not have shrunk from

my duty. Yet it afforded me infinite satisfaction to see the

chase escape, for my heart smote me at taking arms against menwho had probably broken bread at my board.

414 CAPTAIN canot; OB

CHAPTER LXVIII.

Next day we recovered our ancliorage opposite Cape Mount, and

wound our way eight or ten miles up the river to the town of

Toso, which was honored with the residence of King Fana-

Toro. It did not require long to satisfy his majesty of the bene-

fits to be derived from my plan. The news of the destruction

of Gallinas, and of the voluntary surrender of my quarters at

New Sestros, had spread like wildfire along the coast;so that

when the African princes began to understand they were no

longer to profit by unlawful trafl&c, they were willing enough not

to lose all their ancient avails, by compromising for a legal com-

merce, under the sanction of national flags. I explained my pro-

jects to Fana-Toro in the fullest manner, ofi'ering him the most

liberal terms. My propositions were forcibly supported by Prince

Gray ;and a cession of the Mount and its neighboring territory

was finally made, under a stipulation that the purchase-moneyshould be paid in presence of the negro's council, and the surren-

der of title witnessed by the Termagant's officers.'

^ As the document granting this beautiful headland and valuable tradr

mg post is of some interest, I have added a copy of the instrument :

"KNOW ALL MEN BT THESE PRESENTS, that I, Fana-Toeo, Kingof Cape Mount and its rivers, in the presence, and with the full consent

and approbation of my principal chiefs in council assembled, in considera-


As soon as the contract was fully signed, sealed, and de-

livered, making Mr. Redman and myself proprietors, in fee-sim*

pie, of this beautiful region, I hastened in company with my

tion of a mutual friendship existing between George CLAVKnixo Redman,TuEODORK Caxot <fe Co., British subjects, and myself, the particulars where-

of are under-written, do, for myself, my heirs and successors, give and grantunto the said George Clavering Redman, Tlieodore Cnnot <t Co., their heirs

and assigns in perpetuity, all land under the name of Cai'e Mount, extend-

ing, on the south and east sides, to Little Cape Mount, and on the north-

west side to Sugarie River, comprised with the islands, lakes, brooks, foi--

ests, trees, waters, mines, minerals, rights, members, and appurtenancesthereto belonging or appertaining, and all wild and tame beasts and

other animals thereon; TO HAVE AKD TO HOLD the said cape, rivers,

islands, with both sides of the river and other premises hereby grantedunto the said G. Clavering Redman, T. Canot &, Co., their heirs and as-

signs for ever, subject to the authority and dominion of Hee Majesty tub

Queen of Great Britain, her heirs and successors.

'*Ând I, also, give and grant unto the said G. C. Redman, T. Canot <fe

Co., the sole and exclusive rights of traffic with my Nation and People, and

with all those tributary to me, and I hereby engage to afford my assistance

and protection to the said party, and to all persons who may settle on the

said cape, rivers, islands, lakes, and both sides of the river, by their con-

sent, wishing peace and friendship between my nation and all persons be-

longing to the said firm.

" Given under my hand and seal, at the town of Panama, this

twenty-third day of February, one thousand eight hundred

and forty-one.his

"King X Fana-Toro. (L. S.)mark,

bis" Prince X Gray. (L. S.)

mark.""Witnesses,

" Hy. Frowd Seagram, R. N.) f TT \r '««/

'

" Geo. D. Noble, Clerk in Charge. > / .

j,'

*'„

"Tugs. Crawford, Surgeon. 19 •

I paid King Fana-Toro and his chiefs in council the following merchan-

dise in exchange for his territory: six casks of rum; twenty muskets;

twenty quarter-kegs powder; twenty pounds tobacco; twenty pieces

white cottons; thirty pieces blue cottons ; twenty iron bars

; twenty cut*

lasses ; twenty wash-basins ;and twenty "Mch of several other articles of

triflioj? value.


naval friends to explore my little principality for a suitable town

site. We launched our boat on the waters of the noble lake

Plitzogee at Toso,and after steering north-eastwardly for two hours

under the pilotage of Prince Gray, entered a winding creek and

penetrated its thickets of mangrove and palm, till the savage

landed us on decayed steps and pavement made of English

hricJc. At a short distance through the underwood, our con-

ductor pointed out a denuded space which had once served as

the foundation of an English slave factory ; and when my com-

panions hesitated to believe the prince's dishonorable charge on

their nation, the negro confirmed it by pointing out, deeply carved

in the bark of a neifihborinor tree, the name of :—

T. WILLIAMS,1804.

I took the liberty to compliment Seagram and the surgeon on

the result of our exploration ; and, after a hearty laugh at the

denouement of the prince's search for a lawful homestead, we

plunged still deeper in the forest, but returned without finding a

location to my taste. Next day we recommenced our explora-

tion by land, and, in order to obtain a comprehensive view of mydominion, as far as the eye would reach, I proposed an ascent of

the promontory of the Cape which lifts its head quite twelve hun-

dred feet above the sea. A toilsome walk of hours brought us

to the summit, but so dense was the foliage and so lofty the mag-

nificent trees, that, even by climbing the tallest, my scope of

vision was hardly increased. As we descended the slopes, how-

ever, towards the strait between the sea and lake, I suddenly

came upon a rich, spacious level, flanked by a large brook of

delicious water, and deciding instantly that it was an admirable

spot for intercourse with the ocean as well as interior, I resolved

that it should be the site of my future home. A tar was

at hand to climb the loftiest palm, to strip its bushy head, and

hoist the union-jack. Before sundown, I had taken solemn terri-

torial possession, and baptized the future town " New Florence,"

in honor of my Italian birthplace.

I

TWENTY YEAnS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 417

My next effort was to procure laborers, for whom I invoked

the aid of Fana-Toro and the neighboring chiefs. During two

days, forty negroes, whom I hired for their food and a per diem

of twenty cents, wrought faithfully under my direction;but the

constant task of felling trees, digging roots, and clearing ground,

was so unusual for savages, that the entire gang, with the excep-

tion of a dozen, took their pay in rum and tobacco and quitted me.

A couple of days more, devoted to such endurance, drove off the

remaining twelve, so that on the fifth day of my philanthropic en-

terprise I was left in my solitary hut with a single attendant. I

had, alas ! undertaken a task altogether iinsuitcd to people whose

idea of earthly happiness and duty is divided between palm-oil,

concubinage, and suushine!

I found it idle to remonstrate with the king about the indo-

lence of his subjects. Fana-Toro entertained very nearly the

same opinion as his slaves. He declared,—and perhaps very

sensibly,—that white men were fools to work from sunrise to sun-

set every day of their lives; nor could he comprehend how ne-

groes were expected to follow their example ; nay, it was not the

*' fashion of Africa;"

and, least of all, could his majesty coticeive

how a man possessed of so much merchandise and property, would

voluntarily vmdergo the toils I was preparing for the future !

The king's censure and surprise were not encouraging ; yet

I had so long endured the natural indolence of negrodom, that I

hardly expected either a different reply or influential support from

his majesty. Nevertheless, I was not disheartened. I remem-

bered the old school-boy maxim, non vi scd scrpe cadendo,

and determined to effect by degrees what I could not achieve at a

bound. For a while I tried the effect of higher wages ;but an

increase of rum, tobacco, and coin, could not string the nerves or

cord the muscles of Africa. Four men's labor was not equiva-

lent to one day's work in Europe or America. The negro's phi-

losophy was both natural and self-evident :—why should he work

for pay when he could live without it?—labor could not give

him more sunshine, palm-oil, or loives ; and, as for grog and

tobacco, they might be had without the infringement of habits

which had almost the sacredncssof religious institutions.

1§*


With such slender prospects of prosperity at New Florence, 1

left a man in charge ofmy hut, and directing him to get on as well

as he could, I visited Monrovia, to look after the merchandise

that had been saved from the wreck of New Sestros.


CHAPTER LXIX.

I MIGHT fairly be accused of ingratitude if I passed without no-

tice the Colony of Liberia and its capital, whose hospitable doors

were opened widely to receive an exile, when the barbarians of

New Sestros drove me from that settlement.

It is not my intention to tire the reader with an account of

Liberia, for I presume that few are unacquainted with the thriv-

ing condition of those philanthropic lodgments, which hem the

western coast of Africa for near eight hundred miles.

In my former visits to Monrovia, I had been regarded as a

dangerous intruder, who was to be kept for ever under the vigilant

eyes of government officials. When my character as an establish-

ed slaver was clearly ascertained, the port was interdicted to myvessels, and my appearance in the town itself prohibited. Now,

however, when I came as a fugitive from violence, and with the

acknowledged relinquishment of my ancient traffic, every hand

was extended in friendship and commiseration. Tho governor

and council allowed the landing of my rescued slave-goods on

deposit, while the only two servants who continued faithful were

secured to me as apprentices by the court. Scarcely more than

two months ago, the people of this quiet village were disturbed

from sleep by the roll of drums beating for recruits to march

against" the slaver Canot;

"to-day I dine with the chief of the

colony and am welcomed as a brother! This is another of those

remarkable vicissitudes that abound in this work, and which the

critics, in all likelihood, may consider too often repeated. To


my mind, however, it is only another illustration of the probabili'

ty of the odd and the strangeness of truth !

I had no difl&culty in finding all sorts of workmen in Monrovia,

for the colonists brought with them all the mechanical ingenuity

and thrift that characterize the American people. In four months,

with the assistance of a few carpenters, sawyers and blacksmiths,

I built a charming little craft of twenty-five tons, which, in honor

of my British protector, I dubbed the "Termagant." I notice

the construction of this vessel, merely to show that the colony

and its people were long ago capable of producing every thing that

may be required by a commercial state in the tropics. When mycutter touched the water, she was indebted to foreign countries

for nothing but her copper, chains and sails, everything else being

the product of Africa and colonial labor. Had nature bestowed

a better harbor on the Mesurado river, and afibrded a safer en-

trance for large vessels, Monrovia would now be second only to

Sierra Leone. Following the beautiful border of the Saint Paul's,

a few miles from Monrovia the eye rests on extensive plains teem-

ing with luxurious vegetation. The amplest proof has been given

of the soil's fertility in the production of cofiee, sugar, cotton and

rice. I have frequently seen cane fourteen feet high, and as thick

as any I ever met with in the Indies. Cofi"ee trees grow much

larger than on this side of the Atlantic; single trees often yield-

ing sixteen pounds, which is about seven more than the average

product in the West Indies.* Throughout the entire jurisdiction

* I wish to confirm and fortify this statement in regard to the value of

coffee culture in the colonies, by the observation of Dr. J. AV. Lugenbeel,late colonial physician and United States agent in Liberia. The Doctoi

gave"particular attention to observations and investigations respecting

coifee culture in Liberia." "I have frequently seen," he says, "isolated

trees growing in difi'erent parts of Liberia, -which yielded from ten to twen-

ty pounds of clean dry coffee at one picking ; and, however incredible it

may appear, it is a fact that one tree in Monrovia yielded four and a half

bushels of coffee in the hull, at one time, which, when dried and shelled,

weighed thirty-one pounds. This is the largest quantity I ever heard of,

and the largest tree I ever saw, being upwards of twenty feet high and of

proportionate dimensions."

The Doctor is of opinion, however, that as the coffee tree begins to beal


between Capo Mount and Cape Palraas, to the St. Andrew's, the

soil is e«|ually prolific. Oranges, lemons, cocoanuts, pine-apples,

mangoes, plums, grauadillas, sour and sweet sop, plantains, bana-

nas, guyavas, tamarinds, ginger, sweet potatoes, yams, cassava,

and corn, are found in abundance; while the industry of Ameri-

can settlers has lately added the bread-fruit, rose apple, patanga,

cantelope, water-melon, aguacate and mulberry. Garden culture

produces every thing that may be desired at the most luxurious

table.

Much has been said of the '

pestilential climate of Africa,"

and the certain doom of those who venture within the spell of its

miasma. I dare not deny that the coast is scourged by danger-

ous maladies, and that nearly all who take up their abode in the

colonies are obliged to undergo the ordeal of a fever which assails

.them with more or less virulence, according to the health, consti-

tution, or condition of the patient. Yet I think, if the coloniza-

tion records are read with a candid spirit, they will satisfy unpre-

judiced persons that the mortality of emigrants has diminished near-

ly one half, in consequence of the sanitary care exercised by the colo-

nial authorities during the period of acclimation. The colonies

are now amply supplied with lodgings for new comers, where every

thing demanded for comfort, cure, or alleviation, is at hand in

abundance. Colored physicians, who studied their art in America,

have acquainted themselves with the local distempers, and proved

their skill by successful practice. Nor is there now the difficulty

or expense which, twelve years ago, before the destruction of the

neighboring slave marts, made it almost impossible to furnish

convalescents with that delicate nourishment which was needed

to re-establish their vigor.

It may not be amiss if I venture to hope that these colonial

experiments, "which have been fostered for the civilization of Africa

at tlie end of its fourth yenr, an average yield at the end of the sixth year

may be calculated on of at least four pounds. Three hundred trees maybe planted on an acre, giving each twelve feet, and in six years the culture

will become profitable as well as easy.


as well as for the amelioration of the American negro's lot, will

continue to receive the support of all good men. Some persons

assert that the race is incapable of self-government beyond the

tribal state, and then only through fear;while others allege, that

no matter what care may be bestowed on African intellect, it is

unable to produce or sustain the highest results of modern civi-

lization. It would not be proper for any one to speak oracularly

on this mooted point; yet, in justice to the negroes who never left

their forests, as well as to those who have imbibed, for more than

a generation, the civilization of Europe or America, I may unhesi-

tatingly say, that the colonial trial has thus far been highly prom-

ising. I" have often been present at difficult councils and ^'^

pala-

vers^^ ainongthe wild tribes, when questions arose which demand-

ed a calm and skilful judgment, and in almost every instance, the

decision was characterized by remarkable good sense and equity.

In most of the colonies the men who are intrusted with local con-

trol, a few years since were either slaves in America, or employed

in menial tasks which it was almost hopeless they could escape.

Liberia, at present, may boast of several individuals, who, but for

their caste, might adorn society ;while they who have personally

known Roberts, Lewis, Benedict, J. B. McGrill, Teage, Benson of

Grand Bassa, and Dr. McGill of Cape Palmas, can bear testimony

that nature has endowed numbers of the colored race with the best

qualities of humanity.

Nevertheless, the prosperity, endurance and influence of the

colonies, are still problems. I am anxious to see the second gen-

eration of the colonists in Africa. I wish to know what will be

the force and development of the negro mind on its native soil,—

civilized, but cut off from all instruction, influence, or association

with the white mind. I desire to understand, precisely, whether

the negro's faculties are original or imitative, and consequently,

whether he can stand alone in absolute independence, or is only

respectable when reflecting a civilization that is cast on him by

others.

If the descendants of the present colonists, increased by an

immense immigration of all classes and qualities during the next

twenty-five years, shall sustain the young nation with that in-

TWENTY TEAKS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 423

dustrial energy and political dignity that mark its population in

uur day, we shall hail the realized fact with infinite delight.

"We will rejoice, not only because the emancipated negro maythenceforth possess a realm wherein his rights shall be sacred,

but because the civilization with which the colonies must border

the African continent, will, year by year, sink deeper and deeper

into the heart of the interior, till barbarism and Islamism will

fade before the light of Christianity.

But the test and trial have yet to come. The colonist of our

time is an exotic under glass,—

full, as yet, of sap and stamina

drawn from his native America, but nursed with care and exhi-

bited as the efiflorescence of modern philanthropy. Let us hope

that this wholesome guardianship will not be too soon or suddenly

withdrawn by the parent societies;but that, while the state of

pupilage shall not be continued till the immigrants and their

children are emasculated by lengthened dependence, it will be

upheld until the republic shall exhibit such signs of manhood as

canuot deceive the least hopeful.

424 CAPTAIN canot;

CHAPTER LXX.

I RETURNED to Cape Mount from the colony with several An)eri-

can mechanics and a fresh assortment of merchandise for traffic

with the natives. During my absence, the agent I left in chargehad contrived, with great labor, to clear a large space in the

forest for my projected establishment, so that with the aid of myAmericans, I was soon enabled to give the finishing touch to

New-Florence, "While the buildings were erecting, I induced a

number of natives, by force of double pay and the authority of

their chiefs, to form and cultivate a garden, comprising the

luxuries of Europe and America as well as of the tropics, which,

in after days, secured the admiration of many a naval com-

mander.

As soon as my dwelling was nicely completed, I removed myfurniture from the colony ; and, still continuing to drum through

the country for business with the Africans, I despatched myKroomen and pilots on board of every cruiser that appeared in the

oifing, to supply them with provisions and refreshments.

An event took place about this time which may illustrate the

manner in which a branch of the slave trade is carried on along

the coast. Her Britannic Majesty's sloop of war L was

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. ' 425

in the neighborhood, and landed three of her officers at mj

quarters to spend a day or two in hunting the wild boars with

which the adjacent country was stocked. But the rain poured

down in such torrents, that, instead of a hunt, I proposed a

dinner to my jovial visitors. Soon after our soup had been de-

Bpatclied on the piazza, tnere was a rush of natives into the yard,

and I was informed that one of our Bush chiefs had brought in a

noted irambler, whom he threatened either to sell or kill.

It struck me instantly that this would be a good opportunity

to give my British friends a sight of native character, at the

same time that they might be enabled, if so disposed, to do a

generous action. Accordingly, I directed my servant to bring

the Bushman and gambler before us;and as the naked victim,

with a rope round his neck, was dragged by the savage to our

table, I perceived that it was Soma, who had formerly been in

my service on the coast. The vagabond was an excellent inter-

preter and connected with the king, but I had been obliged to dis-

charge him in consequence of his dissipated habits, and especially

for having gambled away his youngest sister, whose release from

Gallinas I had been instrumental in securing.'• I have brought Soma to your store-keeper," said the Bush-

man," and I want him to buy the varlet. Soma has been half

the day gambling with me. First of all he lost his gun, then his

cap, then his cloth, then his right leg, then his left, then his arms,

and, last of all, his head. I have given his friends a chance to

redeem the dog, but as they had bought him half a dozen times

already, there's not a man in the town that will touch him.

Soma never pays his debts;and now, Don Teodore, I have

brought him here, and \i ygu don't buy him, I'll take him to the

water-side and cut his throat !"

There,—with an imploring countenance, bare as he came into

the world, a choking cord round his throat, and with pinioned

arms,—stood the trembling gambler, as I glanced in vain from

the Bushman to the officers, in expectation of his release by those

philanthropists ! As Soma spoke English, I told him in our

language, that I had no pity for his fate, and that he must take

the chances he had invoked. Twenty dollars would have saved

426 CAPTAIN CANOT) OR, ,

his life, and yet the British did not melt !

" Take him off,

said I sternly, to the Bushman," and use him as you choose !

"—but at the same moment, a •nink to my interpreter sufficed, and

the Bushman returned to the forest with tobacco and rum, while

Soma was saved from slaughter. It is by no means improbable

that the gambler is now playing tnonte, on some plantation in

Cuba.

I continued my labors at New-Florence without intermission

for several months, but when I cast up my account, I found the

wages and cost of building so enormous, that my finances would

soon be exhausted. Accordingly, by the advice of my friend

Seagram, as well as of Captain Tucker, who commanded on the

station, I petitioned Lord Stanley to grant me one hundred re-

captured Africans to till my grounds and learn the rudiments of

agricultural industry. Some time elapsed before an answer was

sent, but when it came, my prospects were dashed to the earth.

" Go\"EENMEXT HoUSE, SlEREA LeOXE,

28</t October, 1843." Sir :

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated

August last, inclosing the copy of a petition, the original of

which you had transmitted to the acting Lieutenant Governor

Ferguson, for the purpose of having it forwarded to her Majesty's

Government." In reply, I have to acquaint j'ou, that by the receipt of a

despatch from the Rt. Hon. Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for

the Colonies, bearing date 8th April 1842, his Lordship states

that he cannot sanction a compliance with your request to have a

number of liberated Africans, as apprentices, in tilling your

grounds ;and further, that he could not recognize the purchase

of Cape Mount, as placing that district under the protection and

sovereignty of the British crown." I beg to add, that I am glad to be informed by Captain

tJ-WENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 427

Oakc that the vessel, alluded to in your letter, which you had

been unable to despatch for want of a license, had obtained one for

that purpose from the governor of Monrovia."

" I am, sir, your obedient servant,

"G. Mao Donald," To Mr. Theodore Canot." " Governor."

The picture that had been painted by my imagination with so

many bright scenes and philanthropic hopes, fell as I finished this

tpistjie.It not only clouded my future prospects of lawful com-

merce, but broke oflF, at once, the correspondence with my generousfriend Redman in London. As I dropped the missive on the

table, I ordered the palm tree on which I had first unfurled the

British flag to be cut down;and next day, on a tall pole, in full

view of the harbor, I hoisted a tri-colored banner, adorned by a

central star, which I caused to be baptized, in presence of

Fana-Toro, with a salvo of twenty guns.I am not naturally of a mischievous or revengful temper, but

I can scarcely find language to express the mortification I expe-rienced when Lord Stanley thwarted my honest intentions, byhis refusal to protect the purchase whereon I had firmly resolved

to be an ally and friend, in concentrating a lawful commerce. I

was especially disgusted by this mistrust, or mistake, after the

flattering assurances with which my design had, from the first,

been cherished by the British officers on the station. I may con-

fess that, for a moment, I almost repented the confidence I had

reposed in the British lion, and was at a loss whether to abandon

Cape Mount and return to my former traffic, or to till the groundand play waterman to the fleet.

After proper deliberation, however, I resolved to take the

plough fqr my device;and before Christmas, I had already

ordered from England a large supply of agricultural implementsand of every thing requisite for elaborate husbandry. After this,

I purchased forty youths to be employed on a cofi"ee plantation,

and to drag my ploughs till I obtained animals to replace them.

In a short time I had abundance of laud cleared, and an over-

seer's house erected for an old barracoouier, who, I am grieved

428 CAPTAIN CANOT;OR

to say, turned out but a sorry farmer. He had no idea of syste-

matic labor or discipline save by the lash, so that in a month, foul

of his gang -were on the sick list, and five had deserted. I re-

placed the Spaniard by an American colored man, -who, in turn,

made too free with my people and neglected the plantations.

My own knowledge of agriculture was so limited, that unless I

fortified every enterprise by constant reference to books, I was

unable to direct my hands with skill; and, accordingly, with all

these mishaps to my commerce and tillage I became satisfied

that it was easier to plough the ocean than the land.

Still I was not disheartened. My trade, on a large scale,

with the interior, and my agriculture had both failed; yet I re-

solved to try the effect of traffic in a humble way, combined with

such mechanical pursuits as would be profitable on the coast.

Accordingly, I divided a gang of forty well drilled negroes into

two sections, retaining the least intelligent on the farm, while the

brighter youths were brought to the landing. Here I laid out

a shipyard, blacksmith's shop, and sawpit, placing at the head of

each, a Monrovian colonist to instruct my slaves. In the mean

time the neighboring natives, as well as the people some distance

in the interior, were apprised by my runners of the new factory

I was forming at Cape Mount.

By the return of the dry season our establishment gave signs

of renewed vitality. Within the fences of New Florence there

were already twenty-five buildings and a population of one hun-

dred, and nothing was wanting but a stock of cattle, which I soon

procured from the Kroo country.

Thus, for a long time all things went on satisfactorily, not only

with the natives, but with foreign traders and cruisers, till a na-

tive war embarrassed my enterprise, and brought me in contact

with the enemies of King Fana-Toro, of whose realm and deport-

ment I must give some account.

.TWENTY >EAa8 OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 429

CHAPTEll LXXI.

Th£ Africans who cluster about the bold headland of Cape

Mount,—which, in fair weather, greets the mariner full thirty

miles at sea,—

belong to the Vey tribe, and are in no way infe-

rior to the best classes of natives along the coast. Forty or fifty

families constitute '"a town," the government of which is gene-

rally in the hands of the oldest man, who administers justice bya "

palaver" held in public, wherein the seniors of the settle-

ment are alone consulted. These villages subject themselves vo-

luntarily to the protectorate of larger towns, whose chief arbi-

trates as sovereign without appeal in all disputes among towns

under his wardship ; yet, as his judgments are not always pleas-

ing, the dissatisfied desert their huts, and, emigrating to another

jurisdiction, build their village anew within its limits.

The Veys of both sexes are well built, erect, and somewhat

utately. Their faith differs but little from that prevalent amongthe Soosoos of the Rio Pougo. They believe in a superior powerthat may be successfully invoked through gree-grees and fetiches,

but which is generally obstinate or mischievous. It is their idea

that the good are rewarded after death by transformation into

Bome favorite animal; yet their entire creed is not subject to any


definite description, for they blend the absurdities of Mahometanism with those of paganism, and mellow the whole by an acknow-

ledgment of a supreme deity.

The Vey, like other uncontami7iated Ethiopians, is brought

up in savage neglect by his parents, crawling in perfect naked

ness about the villages, till imitation teaches him the use of rai-

ment, which, in all likelihood, he iirst of all obtains by theft.

There is no difference between the sexes during their early

years. A sense of shame or modesty spems altogether un-

known or disregarded ;nor is it unusual to find ten or a dozen

of both genders huddled promiscuously beneath a roof whose

walls are not more than fifteen feet square.

True to his nature, a Vey bushman rises in the morning to

swallow his rice and cassava, and crawls back to his mat which is

invariably placed in the sunshine, where he simmers till noon-

tide, when another wife serves him with a second meal. The re-

mainder of daylight is passed either in gossip or a second siesta,

till, at sundown, his other wives wash his body, furnish a third

meal, and stretch his wearied limbs before a blazing fire to re-

fresh for the toils of the succeeding day. In fact, the slaves of a

household, together with its females, form the entire workingclass of Africa, and in order to indoctrinate the gentler sex in its

future toils and duties, there seems to be a sort of national semi-,

nary which is known as the Gree-gree-bush.

The Gree-gree-bush is a secluded spot or grove of consider-

able extent in the forest, apart from dwellings and cultivated land

though adjacent to villages, which is considered as consecrated

ground and forbidden to the approach of men. The establishment

within this precinct consists of a few houses, with an extensive

area for exercise. It is governed chiefly by an old woman of

superior skill and knowledge, to whose charge the girls of a vil-

lage are intrusted as soon as they reach the age of ten or twelve.

There are various opinions of the use and value of this institu-

tion in the primitive polity of Africa. By some writers it is

treated as a religious cloister for the protection of female chas'

tity, while by others it is regarded as a school of licentiousness.

From my own examination of the establishnientj I am quite sat


isfied that a line drawn between these extremes will, most pro-

bably, characterize the " bush "with accuracy, and that what was

originally a conservative seclusion, has degenerated greatly under

the lust of tropical passions.

As the procession of novices who are about to enter the

grore approaches the sanctuary, music and dancing arc heard

and seen on every side. As soon as the maidens are received,

they are taken by the gree-grce women to a neighboring .stream,

where they are washed, and undergo an operation which is re-

garded as a sort of circumcision. Anointed from head to foot

with palm oil, they are next reconducted to their home in the

gree-gree bush. Here, under strict watch, they are maintained

by their relatives or those who are in treaty for them as wives,

until they reach the age of puberty. At this epoch the impor-

tant fact is announced by the gree-gree woman to the purchaser

or future husband, who, it is expected, will soon prepare to

take her from the retreat. Whenever his Jicw house is ready for

the bride's reception, it is proclaimed by the ringing of bells and

vociferous cries during night. Next day search is made by fe-

males through the woods, to ascertain whether intruders are lurk-

ing about, but when the path is ascertained to be clear, the girl

is forthwith borne to a rivulet, where she is washed, anointed,

and clad in her best attire. From thence she is borne, amid

singing, drumming, shouting, and firing, in the arms of her female

attendants, till her unsoiled feet are deposited on the husband's

floor.'

I believe this institution exists throughout a large portion of

Africa, and such is the desire to place females within the bush,

that poor parents who cannot pay the initiatory fee, raise sub-

scriptions among their friends to obtain the requisite slave whose

gift entitles their child to admission. Sometimes, it is said, that

this human ticket is stolen to efi"ect the desired purpose, and

that no native power can recover the lost slave when once within

ihe sacred precincts.

The gree-gree-bush is not only a resort of the virgin, but of

'See Maryland Colonization Joumal, toL l, a. s., p. 21?


the wife, in those seasons when approaching maternity indicates

need of repose and care. In a few hours, the robust mother

issues with her new-born child, and after a plunge into the near-

est brook, returns to the domestic drudgery which I have

already described.

In the time of Fana-Toro, Toso was the royal residence where

his majesty played sovereign and protector over six towns and

fifteen villages. His government was generally considered patri-

archal. When I bought Cape Mount, the king numbered

"seventy-seven rains," equivalent to so many years;—he was

small, wiry, meagre, erect, and proud of the respect he universally

commanded. His youth was notorious among the tribes for in-

trepidity, and I found that he retained towards enemies a bitter

resentment that often led to the commission of atrocious cruelties.

It was not long after my instalment at the Cape, that J acci-

dentally witnessed the ferocity of this"

chief. Some trifling"country affair

" caused me to visit the king ;but upon landing at

Toso I was told he was abroad. The manner of my informant,

however, satisfied me that the message was untrue;and accord-

ingly, with the usual confidence of a " white man "in Africa, I

searched his premises till I encountered him in the "palaver-

house." The large iuclosure was crammed with a mob of sav-

ages, all in perfect silence around the king, who, in an infuriate

manner, with a bloody, knife in his hand, and a foot on the dead

body of a negro, was addressing the carcass. By his side stood

a pot of hissing oil, in which the heart of his enemy was frying !

My sudden and, perhaps-, improper entrance, seemed to exas-

perate the infidel, who,, calling me to his side, knelt on the

corpse, and digging it repeatedly with his knife, exclaimed with

trembling passion, that it was his bitterest and oldest foe's ! For

twenty years he had butchered his people, sold his subjects, vio-

lated his daughters, slain his sons, and burnt his towns;

—and

with each charge, the savage enforced his assertion by a stab.

I learned that the slaughtered captive was too brave and

wary to be taken alive in open conflict. He had been kidnapped


by trcacbery, and as he could not be forced to walk to Toso, the

king's trappers had cooped him in a huge basket, which thoybore on their shoulders to the Cape. No sooner was the brute in

his captor's presence, than he broke a silence of three days by

imprecations on Paua-Toro. In a short space, his fate was de-

cided in the scene I had witnessed, while his body was imme-

diately burnt to prevent it from taking the form of some fero-

cious beast which might vex the remaining years of his royal ex-

ecutioner !

This was the only instance of Fana-Toro's barbarity that

came under my notice, and in its perpetration he merely follow-

ed the example of his ancestors in obedience to African ferocity.

Yet, of his intrepidity and nobler endurance, I will relate an

anecdote which was told me by reliable persons. Some twenty

years before my arrival at the Cape, large bands of mercenarybushmen had joined his enemies along the beach, and after deso-

lating his territory, sat down to beleaguer the stockade of Toso.

For many a day thirst and hunger were quietly suffered under

the resolute command of the king, but at length, when their

pangs became unendurable, and the people demanded a surren-

der, Fana-Toro strode into the "palaver house," commanding a

sortie with his famished madmen. The warriors protested

against the idea, for their ammunition was exhausted. Then

arose a wild shout for the king's deposition and the election of a

chief to succeed him. A candidate was instantly found and in-

stalled;but no sooner had he been chosen, than Fana-Toro,—

daring the new prince to prove a power of endurance equal to

his own,—plunged his finger in a bowl of boiling oil, and held it

over the fire, without moving a muscle, till the flesh was crispedto the bone.

It is hardly necessary to say that the sovereign was at once

restored to his rights, or that, availing himself of the fresh enthu-

siasm, he rushed upon his besiegers, broke their lines, routed the

mercenaries, and compelled his rival to sue for peace. Until

the day of his death, that mutilated hand was the boast of his

pconle.

19

434 CAPTAIN CANOT

The Vey people mark vrith some ceremony the extremes of

human existence—birth and death. Both events are honored

with feasting, drinking, dancing, and firing ;and the descendants

of the dead sometimes impoverish, and even ruin themselves, to

inter a venerable parent with pomp.Prince Gray, the sou of Fana-Toro, whom I have already

mentioned, died during my occupation of Cape Mount. I was at

Mesurado when the event happened, but, as soon as I heard it,

I resolved to unite with his relations in the last rites to his

memory. Gray was not only a good negro and kind neighbor

but, as my fast friend in "country matters," his death was a

personal calamity.

The breath was hardly out of the prince's body, when his,

sons, who owned but little property and had no slaves for sale,

hastened to my agent, and pledged their town of Fanama for

means to defray his funeral. In the mean time, the corpse,

swathed in twenty large country sheets, and wrapped in twenty

pieces of variegated calico, was laid out in a hut, where it

was constantly watched and smoked by three of the favorite

widows.

After two months devotion to moaning and seasoning, notice

was sent forty miles round the country, summoning the tribes

to the final ceremony. On the appointed day the corpse was

brought from the hut, a perfect mass of bacon. As the pro-

cession moved towards the palaver-house, the prince's twentywives—almost entirely denuded, their heads shaved, and their

bodies smeared with dust—were seen following his remains.

The eldest spouse appeared covered with self-inflicted bruises,

burns, and gashes—all indications of sorrow and future useless-

ness.

The crowd reached the apartment, singing the praises of the

defunct in chorus, when the body was laid on a new mat, covered

with his war shirt, while the parched lump that indicated his

head was crowned with the remains of a fur hat. All the amu-

lets, charms, gree-grees, fetiches and flummery of the prince were

duly bestowed at his sides. While these arrangements were

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFUICAN SI-AVER. 4S5

making within, his sons stood beneath an adjoining verandah,

io receive the condolences of the invited guests, who, according

to custom, made their bows and deposited a tribute of rice,

palm-oil, palm-wine, or other luxuries, to help out the merry

making.

When I heard of the prince's death at Monrovia, I resolved

not to return without a testimonial of respect for my ally, and

ordered an enormous coffin to be prepared without delay. I.

due time the huge chest was made ready, covered with blue cot-

ton, studded with brass nails, and adorned with all the gilded

ornaments I could find in Monrovia. IBesidcs this splendid

sarcophagus, my craft from the colony was ballasted with four

bullocks and several barrels of rum, as a contribution to the

funeral.

I had timed my arrival rrt Fauama, so as to reach the landing

j>bout ten o'clock on the morning of burial; and, after a salute

from my brazen guns, I landed the bullocks, liquor, and coffin,

and marched toward the princely gates.

The unexpected appearance of the white friend of their

father, lord, and husband, was greeted by the family with a loud

wail, and, as a mark of respect, I was instantly lifted in the arms

of the weeping women, and deposited on the mat beside the

corpse. Here I rested, amid cries and lamentations, till near

noon, when the bullocks were slaughtered, and their blood offered

in wash-bowls to the dead. As soon as this was over, the shape-

less mass was stowed in the coffin without regard to position, and

borne by six carriers to the beach; where it was buried in a clus-

ter of cotton-woods.

On our return to Fanama from the grave, the eldest son of

the deceased was instantly saluted as prince. From this moment

the festivities began, and, at sundown, the twenty widows re-

appeared upon the ground, clad in their choicest raiment, their

Bhavcn skulls anointed with oil, and their limbs loaded with every

bead and bracelet they could muster. Then began the partition

of these disconsolate relicts among the royal family. Six wero

•elected by the new prince, who divided thirteen among his

436 CAPTAIN UANOT;OR

'J

brothers and kinsmen, but gave his mother to his father-in-law.

As soon as the allotment was over, his highness very courteously

ofiered me the choice of his six, in return for my gifts ;but as I

never formed a family tie with natives, I declined the honor, aa

altogether too overwhelming !

TWENTY YFARS OP AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 437

CHAPTER LXXII.

"When I was once comfortably installed at my motley establish-

ment, and, under the management of Colonists, had initiated the

native workmen into tolerable skill with the adze, saw, sledge-hammer and forge, I undertook to build a brig of one hundred

tons. In six months, people came from far and near to be-

hold the mechanical marvels of Cape Mount. Meanwhile, myplantation went on slowly, while my garden became a matter of

curiosity to all the intelligent coasters and cruisers, though I

could never enlighten the natives as to the value of the "foreign

grass" which I cultivated so diligently. They admired the sym-

metry of my beds, the richness of my pine-apples, the luxurious

splendor of my sugar-cane, the abundance of my coflFee, and the

cool fragrance of the arbors with which I adorned the lawn;but

they would never admit the use of my exotic vegetables. In

order to water my premises, I turned the channel of a brook,

surrounding the garden with a perfect canal; aud, as its sides

were completely laced with an elaborate wicker-work of willows,

the aged king and crowds of his followers came to look upon the

Samsonian task as one of the wonders of Africa. '• What is it,"

exclaimed Fana-Toro, as he beheld the deflected water-course," that a white man cannot do !

" After this, his majesty in-

45? CAPTAIN canot; Olt

spected all my plants, and shouted again with surprise at the toil

•we underwent to satisfy our appetites. The use or worth of

Jlowers, of which I had a rare and beautiful supply, he could

never divine;

but his chief amazement was still devoted to our

daily expenditure of time, strength, and systematic toil, when

rice and palm-oil would grow wild while we were sleeping !

It will be seen from this sketch of my domestic comforts and

employment, that New Florence prospered in every thing but

farming and trade. At first it was my hope, that two or three

years of perseverance would enable me to open a lawful traffic

with the interior;but I soon discovered that the slave-trade was

alone thought ofb}'^

the natives, who only bring the neighbor-

ing produce to the beach, when their captives are ready for

a market. I came, moreover, to the conclusion that the interior

negroes about Cape Mount had no commerce with Eastern tribes

except for slaves, and consequently that its small river will

never create marts like those which have direct communications

by water with the heart of a rich region, and absorb its gold,

ivory, wax, and hides. To meet these difficulties, I hastened the

building of my vessel as a coaster.

About this time, an American craft called the A,ar-

rived in my neighborhood. She was loaded with tobacco, calicoes,

rum, and powder. Her captain who was unskilled in coast-trade,

and ignorant of Spanish, engaged me to act as supercargo for him

to Grallinas. In a very short period I disposed of his entire

investment. The trim and saucy rig of this Yankee clipper be-

witched the heart of a Spanish trader who happened to be amongthe /agu?ies, and an offer was forthwith made, through me, for

her purchase. The bid was accepted at once, and the day before

Christmas fixed as the period of her delivery, after a trip to the

Gaboon.

In contracting to furnish this slaver with a craft and the

necessary apparatus for his cargo, it would be folly for me to

deny that I was dipping once more into my ancient trade; yet,


on reflection, I concluded that in covering the vessel for a momentwith my name, I was no more amenable to rebuke, than the

respectable merchants of Sierra Leone and elsewhere who passed

hardly a day without selling, to notorious slavers, such merchan-

dise as could be used alone in slave-wars or slave-trade. It is

probable that the sophism soothed my conscience at the moment,

though I could never escape the promise that sealed my agree-ment with Lieutenant Seagram.

The appointed day arrived, and my smoking semaphoresannounced the brigantine's approach to Sugarei, three miles from

Cape Mount. The same evening the vessel was surrendered to

me by the American captain, who landed his crew and handed

over his flag and papers. As soon as I was in charge, no delaywas made to prepare for the reception of freight; and by sunrise

I resigned her to the Spaniard, who immediately embarked seven

hundred negroes, and landed them in Cuba in twenty-seven days.

Till now the British cruisers had made Cape Mount their

friendly rendezvous, but the noise of this shipment in my neighbor-

hood, and my refusal to explain or converse on the subject, gave

umbrage to oflBcers who had never failed to supply themselves

from my grounds and larder. In fact I was soon marked as an

enemy of the squadron, while our intercourse dwindled to the

merest shadow. In the course of a week, the Commander on the

African station, himself, hove to off the Cape, and summoning me

on board, concluded a petulant conversation by remarking that " a

couple of men like Monsieur Canot would make work enough in

Africa for the whole British squadron !

"

I answered the compliment with a profound salaam, and went

over the Penelope's side satisfied that my friendship was at an

end with her Majesty's cruisers.

The portion of Cape Mount whereon I pitched my tent, had

been so long depopulated by the early wars against Fana-Toro,

that the wild beasts re-asserted their original dominion over the

territory. The forest was full of leopards, wild cats, cavallia or

wild boars, and ourang-outangs.


Very soon after my arrival, a native youth in my employ had

been severely chastised for misconduct, and in fear of repetition,

fled to the mount after supplying himself with a basket of cassava.

As his food was sufficient for a couple of days, we thought he

might linger in the wood till the roots were exhausted, and then

return to duty. But three days elapsed without tidings from

the truant. On the fourth, a diligent search disclosed his corpse

in the forest, every limb dislocated iiud covered with bites appa-

rently made by human teeth. It was the op"nion of the natives

that the child had been killed by ouraug-outangs, nor can I doubt

their correctness, for when I visited the scene of the murder,

the earth for a large space around, was covered with the foot-

prints of the beast and scattered with the skins of its favorite

esculent.

I was more annoyed, however, at first, by leopards than

any other animal. My cattle could not stray beyond the fences,

nor could my laborers venture abroad at any time without

weapons. I made use of spring- traps, pit-falls, and various ex-

pedients to purify the forest;but such was the cunning or agility

of our nimble foes that they all escaped. The only mode by

which I succeeded in freeing the liomestead of their ravages, was

by arming the muzzle of a musket with a slice of meat which

was attached by a string to the trigger, so that the load and the

food were discharged into the leopard's mouth at the same moment.

Thus, by degrees as my settlement grew, the beasts receded from

the promontory and its adjacent grounds ;and in a couple of

years, the herds \êre able to roam where they pleased without

danger.

Cape Mount had long been deserted by elephants, but about

forty miles from my dwelling, on the upper forests of the lake,

the noble animal might still be hunted;and whenever the natives

were fortunate enough to "bag

" a specimen, I was sure to be

remembered in its division. If the prize proved a male, I re-

ceived the feet and trunk, but if it turned out of the gentler

gender, I was honored with the udder, as a royal honne-houche.

In Africa a slaughtered elephant is considered public pro-

perty by the neighboring villagers, all of whom have a right to

TWENTY VBARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER. 441

carve the giant till his bones are bare. A genuine sportsmanclaims nothing but the ivorjr and tail, the latter being universallya perquisite of the king. Yet I frequently found that associar

tions were made among the natives to capture this colossal beast

and his valuable tusks. Upon these occasions, a club was formed

on the basis of a whaling cruise, while a single but well known

hunter was chosen to do execution. One man furnished the

muskets, another supplied the powder, a third gave the iron bolts

for balls, a fourth made ready the provender, while a fifth des-

patched a bearer with the armament. As soon as the outfit was

completed, the huntsman's ju-ju and feitiche were invoked for

good luck, and he departed under an escort of wives and associates.

An African elephant is smaller, as well as more cunning and

wild, than the Asiatic. Accordingly, the sportsman is often

obliged to circumvent his game during several days, for it is said

that in populous districts, its instincts are so keen as to afibrd

warning of the neighborhood of fire-arms, even at extraordinarydistances. The common and most efi'ectual mode of enticinir an

elephant within reach of a ball, is to strew the forest for several

miles with pific apples, whose flavor and fragrance infallibly be-

witch him. By degrees, he tracks and nibbles the fruit from

slice to slice, till, lured within the hunter's retreat, he is des-

patched from the branches of a lofty tree by repeated shots at

his capacious forehead.

Sometimes it happens that four or five discharges with the

wretched powder used in Africa fail to slay the beast, who escapes

from the jungle and dies afar from the encounter. When this

occurs, an attendant is despatched for a reinforcement, and I have

seen a whole settlement go forth en masse to search for the

monster that will furnish food for many a day. Sometimes the

crowd is disappointed, for the wounds have been slight and the

animal is seen no more. Occasionally, a dying elephant will

linger a long time, and is only discovered by the buzzards hov-

ering above his body. Then it is that the bushmen, guided bythe vultures, haste to the forest, and fall upon the putrid fleyh with

more avidity than birds of prey. Battles have been fought on

the carcass of an elephant, and many a slave, captured in the

conflict, has been marched from the body to the beach.

442 CAPTAIN canot; OB.

CHAPTEK LXXIII.

The war, whose rupture I mentioned at the end of the seventieth

chapter, spread rapidly throughout our borders;and absorbing

the entire attention of the tribe, gave an impulse to slavery

which had been unwitnessed since my advent to the Cape.

The reader may readily appreciate the difficulty of my position

in a country, hemmed in by war which could only be terminated

by slaughter or slavery. Nor could I remain neutral in New

Florence, which was situated on the same side of the river as

Toso, while the enemies of Fana-Toro were in complete posses-

sion of the opposite bank.

When I felt that the rupture between the British and myself

was not only complete but irreparable, I had less difficulty in

deciding my policy as to the natives; and, chiefly under the im-

pulse of self-protection, I resolved to serve the cause of myancient ally. I made whatever fortifications could be easily de-

fended in case of attack, and, by way of show, mounted some

cannon on a boat which was paraded about the waters in a formi-

dable way. My judgment taught me from the outset that it was

folly to think of joining actively in the conflict; for, while I had

but three white men in my quarters, and the colonists had re*


turned to JJ^jnrovia, my New Sestros experience taught mo the

value of bondsmen's backing.

Numerous engagements and captures took place by both

parties, so that my doors were daily beseiged by a tTowd of

wretches sent by Fana-Toro to be purchased for shipment. I

declined the contract with firmness and constancy, but so impor-tunate was the chief that I could not resist his desire tliat a

Spanish factor might come within my limits with merchandise

from Gallinas to purchase his prisoners." He could do nothing

with his foes," he said," when in his grasp, but slay or sell them."

The king's enemy, on the opposite shore, disposed of his captives to

Gallinas, and obtained supplies of powder and ball, while Fana-

Toro, who had no vent for his prisoners, would have been destroy-ed without my assistance.

Matters continued in this way for nearly two years, duringwhich the British kept up so vigilant a blockade at Cape Mountand Gallinas, that the slavers had rarely a chance to enter a ves-

sel or run a cargo. In time, the barracooris became so gorged,that the slavers began to build their own schooners. When the

A was sold, I managed to retain her long-boat in my ser-

vice, but such was now the value of every egg-shell on the coast,

that her owner despatched a carpenter from Gallinas, who, in a

few days, decked, rigged, and equipped her for sea. She was

twenty-three feet long, four feet deep, and five feet beam, so that,

when afloat, her measurement could not have exceeded four tons.

Yet, on a dark and stormy night, she dropped down the river,

and floated out to sea through the besieging lines, with thirty-

three black boys, two sailors, and a navigator. In less than

forty days she transported the whole of her living freight across

the Atlantic to Bahia. The negroes almost perished from tliirst,

but the daring example was successfully followed during the suc-

ceeding year, by skifis of similar dimensions.

I can hardly hope that a narrative of my dull routine, while

I lingered on the coast, entirely aloof from the slave-trade, would

either interest or instruct the general reader. The checkered

444 CAPTAIN CANO C\ OR,

career I have already exposed, has portrayed almo^ every phaseof African life. If I am conscious of any thing during my domi

cile at Cape Mount, it is of a sincere desire to prosper by lawful

and honorable thrift. But, between the native wars, the turmoil

of intruding slavers, and the suspicions of the English, every

thing went wrong. The friendship of the colonists at CapePalmas and Monrovia was still unabated

; appeals were made

by missionaries for my influence with the tribes;coasters called

on me as usual for supplies ; yet, with all the':e encouragementsfor exertion, I must confess that my experiment was unsuc-

cessful.

Nor was this all. I lost my cutter, laden with stores and

merchandise for my factory. A vessel, filled with rice and lum-

ber for my ship-yard, was captured on susjncio)i, and, thoughsent across the Atlantic for adjudication, was dismissed uucon-

demned. The sudden death of a British captain from Sierra

Leone, deprived me of three thousand dollars. Fana-Toro madenumerous assaults on his foes, all of which failed

; and, to capthe climax of my ills, on returning after a brief absence, I found

that a colonist, whom I had rescued from misery and employedin my forge, had fled to the enemy, carrying with him a numberof my most useful servants.

It was about this time that circumstances obliged me to makea rapid voyage to New York and back to Africa, where the blind

goddess had another surprise in store for me. During my ab-

sence, our ancient king was compelled to make a treaty with his

rival, who, under the name of George Cain, dwelt formerly amongthe American colonists and acquired our language. It was by

treachery alone that Fana-Toro had been dragooned into an

arrangement, by which my quondam blacksmith, who married a

sister of Cain, was elevated to the dignity of prince George's

'premier !

Both these scamps, with a troop of their followers, planted

themselves on my premises near the beach, and immediately let

me understand that they were my sworn enemies. Cain could

not pardon the aid I gave to Fana-Toro in his earlier conflicts,

nor would the renegade colonist forsake his kinsman or the

African barbarism, into which he had relapsed.


By degrees, these varlets, whom I was unable, in my crippled

condition, to dislodge, obtained the ears of the British command-

ers, and poured into them ever}' falsehood that could kindle

their ire. The Spanish factory of Fana-Toro's agent was reported

to be mine. The shipment in the A and the adventure

of her boat, were said to be mijie. Another suspected clipper

was declared to be mine. These, and a hundred lies of eiûal

baseness, were adroitly purveyed to the squadron by the outlaws,

and, in less than a month, my fame was as black as the skin of

piy traducers. Still, even at this distant day, I may challenge

my worst enemy on the coast to prove that I participated, after

1839, in the purchase of a single slave for transportation beyondthe sea !

From the moment that the first dwelling was erected at New

Florence, I carefully enforced the most rigid decorum between

the sexes throughout ray jurisdiction. It was the boast of our

friends at Cape Pahuas and Monrovia, that my grounds were

free from the debauchery, which, elsewhere in Africa, was un-

happily too common. I have had the honor to entertain at mytable at Cape Mount, not only the ordinary traders of the coast,

but commodores of French squadrons, commanders of British

and American cruisers, governors of colonies, white and colored

missionaries, as well as innumerable merchants of the first re-

spectability, and I have yet to meet the first of them, in any part

of the world, who can redden my cheek with a blush.

But such was not the case at the Cape after Cain and Curtia

became the pets of the cruisers, and converted the beach into a

brothel'

' I have spoken of visits and appeals from misaionaiies, and will here in-

sert a letter of introduction, which I received by the hands of the Reverend

Mr. "Williams, whilst I inhabited Cape Mount. Mr. Williams had been n for-

mer governor of Liberia, and was deputed to Cape Mount by the Melho

diflt Episcopal Mission, in Liberia.

"Dear Sir:

"Tills will be handed you by the Rev. A. D. Williams, a

minister of the M. E. Church, with whom you are so well acquninteil that I

hardly need introduce him. It is a matter of regret that I am so situatec

446 CAPTAIN CANOTJ OR,

After a brief sojourn at my quarters to repair" The Chan-

cellor," in which I had come with a cargo from the United

States, I hastened towards Grallinas to dispose of our merchan-

as to be unable to accompany Mr. "Williams to Cape Mount It would have

afforded me pleasure to visit your establisbment, and it might have facilitated

our mission operations, could I have .done so. Allow loe, however, to be-

speak for Mr. Williams your attention and patronage, both of which you

have, in conversation, so kindly promised." Our object is to elevate the natives of Cape Mount

;to establish a

school for children;to have divine service regularly performed on the Sab-

bath ; and thus to endeavor to introduce among the people a knowledge of

the only wise and true God and the blessings of Christianity. Such is the

immense influence you have over the Cape Mount people, in consequenceof your large territorial possessions, that a great deal of the success of our

efforts will depend on you," To your endeavors, then, for our prosperity, we look very anxiously.

In the course of a few months, should circumstances warrant the expense,

I intend to erect suitable buildings for divine service, and for the occupa-

tion of the missionary and hisfamily. In this case, we shall have to intrude

on your land for building room. I shall endeavor to visit Cape Mount as

Boon as possible." I remain, my dear sir,

"Yom-s truly," John Sets.

" To TimoDOKE Canot, Esq.,"Cape Mount:'

It would have afforded me sincere pleasure to gratify Messrs. "Williams

and Seys, but, unluckily', they had chosen the worst time imaginable for the

establishment of a mission and school. The country was ravaged by war,

and the towns were depopulated. The passions of the tribes were at their

height Still, as I had promised my co-operation, I introduced the Eev.

Mr. Williams to the king, whc courteously told the missionary all tlie dan-

gers and difficulties of his position, but promised, should the conflict speed-

ily end, to send him notice, when a " book-man " would be received with

pleasure.

To give my reverend friend a proof of the scarcity of people in the towns,

I sent messages to Toso, Panama and Sugarei, for the inhabitants to assem

ble at New Florence on the next Sunday, to hear " God's palabra," (as they

call sacred instruction ;)but when the Sabbath came, the Rev. Mr. Wil-

liams Iield forth to my clerk, mechanics and servant?, alone !

I reported the mortifying failure to the Rev. Mr. Seys, and Mr, Wreturned to Monrovia.


disc. We had been already boarded by an American officer

who reported us to his superior as a regular merchantman; yet,

such were the malicious representations on the beach against tho

vessel and myself, that the Dolphin tarried a month at the an-

chorage to watch our proceedings. When I went to the old mart

of Don Pedro, a cruiser dogged us;when I sailed to leeward

of Cape Palmas for oil and ivory, another took charge of our

movements,—anchoring where we anchored, getting under waywhen we did, and following us into every nook and corner. AtGrand Buttoa, I took " The Chancellor " within a reef of rocks,

and here I was left to proceed as I pleased, while the liritish

cruiser returned to Cape Mount.

The fifteenth of March, eighteen hundred and forty-seven, is

scored in my calendar with black. It was on the morning of

that day that the commander who escorted me so warily as far

as Buttoa, landed a lieutenant and sailors at New Florence, and

unceremoniously proceeded to search my premises for slaves.

As none were found, the valiant captors seized a couple of hand-

cufi's, like those in use every where to secure refractory seamen,and carried them on board to their commander. Next day, sev-

eral boats, with marines and sailors, led by a British captain

and lieutenant, landed about noon, and, without notice, provoca-

tion, or even allowing my clerK lo save his raiment, set fire to mybrigantine, store-houses, and dwelling.

As I was absent, I cannot vouch for every incident of this

transaction, but I have the utmost confidencp in the circum-

stantial narrative which my agent, Mr. Horace Smith, soon after

prepared under oath at Monrovia. The marines and Kroomen

were permitted to plunder at will. Cain and Curtis revelled

in the task of philanthropic destruction. While the sailors

burnt my houses, these miscreants and their adherents devoted

themselves to the ruin of my garden, fruit trees, plantations, and

waterworks. My cattle, even, were stolen, to be sold to tlie

•"rlrnn : and. ere night, New Florence wasa smouldering hear '

448 CArXAlN CANOT,

I would gladly have turned the last leaf of this book without

a murmur, had not this wanton outrage been perpetrated, not

only while I was abroad, but without a shadow of justice. Tothis hour, I am ignorant of any lawful cause, or of any thing but

suspicion, that may be alleged in palliation of the high-handed

wrong. Not a line or word was left, whereby I could trace a

pretext for my ruin.

Three days after the catastrophe, my ancient ally of Toso

paid the debt of nature. In a month, his t.ibes awoke from

their stupor with one of those fiery spasms that are not uncom-

mon in Africa, and, missing their " white man " and his mer-

chandise, rose in a mass, and, Avithout a word of warning, sacri-

ficed the twin varlets of the beach and restored their lawful

prince.

THie Ksr:*.

^^8

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